Amidst Tottenham’s search for a new striker in the closing stages of the January transfer window, one man who left through the exit door was Danny Rose.
The left-back completed a loan switch to fellow Premier League side Newcastle, with the Magpies reported to be paying £2m for his services until the end of this campaign.
At the time, it seemed like a logical decision. After all, Rose had fallen down the pecking order at Spurs, with the 29-year-old making just five appearances since Jose Mourinho took over the reins from Mauricio Pochettino.
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In his place, Ben Davies has been one of the players to benefit the most, starting and completing the full 90 minutes in Spurs’ last three Premier League games after making his recovery from an ankle injury.
Whilst the Welshman may not be directly responsible for all of it, in those three matches, the north Londoners have conceded six goals, and lost twice. And against Wolves on Sunday afternoon, Davies had a particularly disappointing display.
As per Sofascore, he had just a 73% pass accuracy, made only one tackle and interception apiece, won just four of his twelve total duels, and lost possession a staggering 22 times. It was hardly an assured display from the 26-year-old in that left wing-back position, and it raises the question of perhaps why Mourinho was so quick to let Rose leave.
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Could Spurs not have waited until the summer to make a more definitive decision on the now Newcastle man? It’s quite a telling statistic that Rose has scored more goals and provided more assists than Davies in the time the pair have been in north London, whilst the former comfortably betters the Welshman when it comes to important statistics this season.
Rose’s average of 0.9 key passes, 0.8 dribbles and 0.7 crosses per game is all more than what Davies has managed in the top-flight, and with this wing-back system that Mourinho is employing, appears to be a far better fit for Spurs. The former’s greater attacking threat would have been perfect for the Lilywhites, and yet the north London side’s boss was happy to let him go on loan.
Davies’ nightmare display against Wolves on Sunday has raised some big alarm bells over Mourinho’s £2m decision.
Meanwhile, this ace’s comeback from injury may be just as important as Harry Kane’s.