According to Phil Hay, Leeds United hopes that Ben Davies will become “peripheral” at Tottenham following the Premier League club’s transfer action this month
The Athletic journalist remarked on the Square Ball Podcast on 19 January that he still believes the Welshman coming to the second division on loan is “farfetched” even if it would be a “absolutely terrific” trade for the Whites, but has detailed the logic behind the January interest.
Davies has played extensively at center-back this season, but Spurs have signed Radu Dragusin from Genoa this month in a deal that sent ex-Elland Road loanee Djed Spence in the opposite direction, but there are claims that his father is a Leeds supporter and he is close with current Welsh Tottenham loanee Joe Rodon.
Hay stated (11.10am): “The thinking with Davies is that because Spurs have been doing business defensively, he might become peripheral, and if he does, perhaps there’d be an opportunity there.”
“Davies appears to be one of those individuals for whom it seems unlikely that he will play in the Championship for six months; he is a fantastic player who has been heavily involved at Tottenham.
“That would strike me as a long shot but that sort of signing would be absolutely terrific.”
Host Dan Moylan then remarked, “He has Leeds fans in the family, doesn’t he?” According to reports, his father supports Leeds and is close friends with Joe Rodon. Could he be whispering into his ear, ‘It’s fantastic here’?”
Wishful thinking
There is some logic to the Leeds United perspective, and the presence of Rodon, Ethan Amapadu, and Dan James at Elland Road can’t hurt.
However, Ange Postecoglou has clearly proved to Davies that he trusts him if necessary, so the 30-year-old is certain he will be given opportunities if there are further injuries and bans in North London.
With Cristian Romero in the line-up, the latter is a recurring risk, and their season so far has hinted that, as at Leeds, injuries will be a hallmark of the campaign.
If Davies has influencers around him, such as his father and Rodon, who may sway him towards West Yorkshire, the club has as strong a chance of landing him as anyone in the second division.
However, it is quite improbable that he will leave Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this month unless there is clear evidence that his game time will be significantly reduced.
The glimmer of optimism comes from the fact that he has only made one start at his preferred left-back position in the Premier League this season, where he appears to be the perfect answer to Daniel Farke‘s problems at the position, thanks to the development of Destiny Udogie.
He has instead started nine of his 14 top-flight games as an emergency centre-back, with Dragusin‘s arrival and the return from injury of Romero and Micky van de Ven clogging his path.
The fact that Davies is currently out injured until February [Premier Injuries] could play a role in either direction, as Spurs may go on without him, but this makes him less of a viable choice for Farke to come in.
In other Leeds United news, a transfer target has turned down interest from the club’s rivals.
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