Does stand-in Tottenham wing-back Davies deserve criticism?
When Danny Rose was forced off in Tottenham’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland earlier in the season, supporters feared the worst and understandably so. He and teammate Kyle Walker are now widely considered the best full-back pairing in the Premier League, with Rose vital in Mauricio Pochettino’s setup. The Spurs boss has recently looked to implement a three-man defence, with Rose and Walker providing the width as wing-backs.
As such, Rose’s absence had the potential to derail Spurs’ pursuit of a top-4 finish. In his place came Ben Davies, who is hardly the worst stand in for his teammate. That being said, the Welshman lacks the attacking verve Rose brings to the side, which is key to Pochettino’s 3-4-2-1 system having the desired effect. Indeed, Spurs score marginally more goals per game with the England international starting (2) than when he does not (1.9) as he helps provide width to stretch opponents.
With Walker on the opposite flank, Spurs have the means to blitz opponents, though that has been lacking in recent weeks, even if the results have been ideal with the north London side putting three past Fulham and Everton, four past Stoke and six past Millwall. Yet you only have to look at the number of dribbles per 90 Rose makes (1.5) compared to Davies (0.3) to note the dip in attacking influence when the former is unavailable. As one might expect, Rose has developed a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘dribbling’, able to power past opponents and punch a hole through defences.
Davies lacks this offensive impact, which means Spurs struggle to have the same effect down the left. That, though, is hardly his own doing, with Pochettino developing a system that means his wing-backs need to fly down either flank at great speed. As such, Davies’ biggest criticism is the fact that he isn’t Danny Rose. When the English defender was injured, it took some time getting used to as noted in that his teammates would routinely put passes ahead of Davies to run onto, however, given his shortcomings compared to Rose, the ball would more often than not run out of play and result in a wasted attack.
In recent weeks, though, the players have adjusted accordingly and the team is profiting as a result. His best-rated performance of the Premier League season came in the 3-2 win over Everton, where Davies gained a 7.73 for an outstanding showing in the victory against the Toffees. What he lacks in attacking thrust, Davies certainly makes up for in defensive solidity, though. Having formed a part of Wales’ effective defensive trio at Euro 2016, this versatility to his game allows for the 23-year-old to help keep opposition attackers at bay.
Granted, Davies (1.7) makes fewer tackles per 90 than Rose (2.9), but then the former (0.5) is dribbled past fewer times per 90 than the latter (1.2) in the Premier League this season. He makes up for his underwhelming offensive impact with his positional awareness to ensure opponents struggle to get the better of him where possible. Spurs haven’t necessarily struggled in Rose’s absence and while he is vital to the way the team now plays, Davies has improved with each passing week he has played in Rose’s stead.
Many fans may have feared that Spurs’ pursuit for a top-4 finish would crumble in the absence of Rose, but Davies has come in and performed well enough to help maintain width across the pitch. The Wales international may be better suited as a left-back rather than a left wing-back, but his development in the role has been clear for all to see. If he can continue his good performances until Rose’s return to fitness, then Spurs stand a much stronger chance of securing Champions League football for next season.
