Tottenham are top of the Premier League – but there is work to do for Ben Davies this week. The Spurs defender will lead Wales through the international break in a week’s time, which could arguably define exactly where they are in their post-Gareth Bale transition period.
I doubt any Welsh player or supporter would question Davies’ ability to captain his country this week. No worries about that, his credentials are proven.
After making his Wales debut at the age of 19, 80 caps followed. He has always been at the heart of Welsh success over the last decade.
Obviously, Aaron Ramsey’s injury is a blow to his country, but in terms of leadership, Davies is more than capable.
Indeed, following Bale’s retirement after the World Cup, many thought his heir apparent would be Davies and not Ramsey. Regardless, it would have been a difficult decision for manager Rob Page, one he acknowledged last week when confirming Davies as skipper for this week’s matches.
“It’s something I’m incredibly proud of, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Davies himself said ahead of the doubleheader. “I’ve done it before, but it’s good to go into games knowing the situation we’re in, and I’m ready for that.
“We’ve put ourselves in a situation in the group where we need a result. As a team we have to believe we can go out there and do it.”
So what should he do during this international break? Training in Wrexham and Cardiff with a friendly match on Wednesday against Gibraltar then the big meeting – Croatia in Cardiff on Sunday evening in front of a packed, passionate, but naturally anxious crowd. Luka Modric is in town… So Wales need to find their A-game.
Davies brings a passion to playing for his country that resonates with fans. There’s another big problem, because the fans are going to support it: it’s those 1 percent that can sometimes make the difference.
He is also leader of the Premier League. Tottenham are playing well, the team seems happy with life under Ange Postecoglou and as Davies told me, that intensity and enthusiasm inevitably carries over into the international fold – another big problem.
“Players want to be part of winning teams,” he said. “I’m fortunate to be part of a team where we’re getting good results, where we’re doing well and it’s about bringing that into training camp this week.
“The game against Gibraltar is important to gather minutes on the pitch and hopefully get a result that will give us the momentum to take us into the game against Croatia.”
Davies has already been regarded as one of the key leaders of the Wales team for many years and has in the past appeared older than his years.
“I have always been in this camp and I have been considered one of the leaders of the group for a while now,” he added. “I try to be myself, stick to the values I have and hopefully the boys will be motivated for the match.”
He’s only 30 now, but is only 20 caps away from his century, and barring injury, he looks set to achieve it in the not too distant future.
He’s just one of the players that Welsh fans always respond to: “reliable, dependable, work rate, know-how”.
Missing Ramsey is clearly a blow, his talent and ability to unravel a defense perhaps more than his captaincy. This is because Davies can fill this role.
“Aaron is a great player, being without him is definitely a blow. It gives the boys who came in in his absence before another chance to show what they can do.”
Where Davies must shine this week is in bringing out the best in the players on the pitch who must fill the hole left by Ramsey – that intensity and enthusiasm he spoke of at Tottenham.
Then Wales have a chance to make this a memorable and miserable week for Modric and co.