Jamie Redknapp believes one Spurs player’s importance has been underestimated for too long – and his latest performance against Man City proves why.
Tottenham’s trip to the Etihad was always going to be a challenging test, but the absence of their first-choice central defenders, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, made the task even more daunting.
Romero and van de Ven’s injury meant that Ange Postecoglou had to rely on Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin against one of the most potent attacking forces in the Premier League.
For many Spurs fans, the thought of facing Manchester City with a makeshift backline was cause for concern, especially with Erling Haaland leading the line.
Haaland’s physicality and eye for goal have terrorised defences across Europe, and this pairing was expected to struggle under relentless pressure.
Yet, against all odds, Tottenham’s defence delivered a disciplined and composed performance, keeping City’s attack at bay and securing a hard-fought clean sheet after a resounding 4-0 win at the Etihad.
Jamie Redknapp was quick to commend Ben Davies for his role in Tottenham’s defensive success. Speaking to Sky Sports, Redknapp highlighted the Welshman’s versatility and calmness under pressure in such a crucial fixture.
He said: “I think Ben Davies deserves a very special mention because I think him coming in and I’ve seen that he’s come on in a couple of games over Romero or when van de Ven has been injured and I thought he was very assured
“He’s one of those sort of players that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He can fill it up right-back, left-back. To go in at centre-back against one of the most ferocious centre-forwards in world football, he handled it perfectly.”
Davies’ ability to adapt across multiple defensive roles has often gone under the radar, but his display against Manchester City was a timely reminder of his reliability.
Partnering Dragusin, who is still finding his feet in the Premier League, Davies offered stability and leadership, ensuring Tottenham remained organised against waves of City attacks.
For Tottenham, keeping a clean sheet against Manchester City is not just a testament to the defenders’ individual performances but also a significant psychological boost.
Such a result, especially under difficult circumstances, will instil confidence in the team as they continue to navigate a demanding fixture list.
Both Davies and Dragusin have much to gain from this performance. The former proved once again why he is often referred to as “Mr Reliable”, while Dragusin demonstrated he can step up when called upon.
With injuries and suspensions inevitable during a long season, their contributions may prove invaluable as Spurs compete on multiple fronts.
The post Jamie Redknapp says one Spurs player doesn’t get the credit he deserves appeared first on Spurs Web.
