View: Tottenham defender makes NLD start claim to Ange after 'Superb' 81% int'l display y'day

Ben Davies has staked his claim to start for Tottenham in the North London derby against Arsenal after a “superb” performance for Wales.

The 31-year-old was a brick wall in the Welsh defence, helping his side to a 2-1 win against Montenegro in the UEFA Nations League on Monday [9 September].

While the defender finds himself on the fringes at Spurs, Ange Postecoglou will have kept a close eye on his squad throughout the international break as the Welsh media raved about the full-back’s outing.

Reacting to his performance, WalesOnline [9 September] gave him an 8/10 rating, writing: “Another really good performance. Defensively so solid again. Made a superb intervention on the line early on.”

Y Clwb Pel-droed [9 September], agreed with the rating, writing: “The skipper was a rock at the back for Wales as he as been on so many occasions over the years. He made a vital goal-line clearance, not for the first time in a Wales shirt.”

Ben Davies makes unlikely starting claim for Tottenham

Davies may consider himself lucky to still be among the Tottenham squad as reports emerged that Postecoglou was looking to replace the full-back this summer.

However, the long-serving Spurs man will continue in North London this season, though he will find his game time limited behind starting left-back Destiny Udogie.

The Wales captain has been a stalwart for the side over his 10-year spell with the club but, as he approaches the twilight years of his career, he is showing no signs of slowing down for his country with a performance that could place him in, albeit unlikely, contention for the North London derby.

Davies won 71 per cent of his ground duels, made three clearances including one goal-line clearance, two interceptions, two tackles, and blocked three shots in an impressive defensive display from the veteran [Sofascore].

He rolled back the years for Wales on Monday with a pass completion rate of 81 per cent with one key pass and creating one big chance.

A performance such as that, in any other circumstances, would be more than enough to justify a start. However, Postecoglou will need his strongest players on the pitch to beat Arsenal and unfortunately, Davies doesn’t fill the bill anymore at Spurs.

All that Davies can likely hope for is a cameo off the bench but Spurs have looked susceptible at times this season, particularly against Leicester City. Who knows, an opportunity could arise for Davies to challenge Udogie if Tottenham continues to ship in goals at the current rate and after an impressive international break then he’s at least staked a claim for this weekend.

In other Tottenham news, Spurs are set for a North London derby boost against Arsenal.

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The post View: Tottenham defender makes NLD start claim to Ange after 'Superb' 81% int'l display y'day appeared first on Tottenham Hotspur News.