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Rock Solid Ben Davies Faces Busy Summer With Wales . . . But Uncertain Future At Spurs

Ian MitchelmoreIan Mitchelmore2 May 2025
Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur. Pic: Alamy

Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur. Pic: Alamy

Ben Davies has spent more than a decade with Tottenham but might be on the move at the end of the season as Ian Mitchelmore explains.

Having been under intense scrutiny for the vast majority of the season, Ange Postecoglou's future at Tottenham Hotspur could well be determined over the next week.

With a place in the Europa League final up for grabs, Spurs' campaign - in addition to their Australian manager's own situation - could well hinge solely on semi-final success over Bodø/Glimt over two legs.

The same could well apply to Ben Davies.

The Welshman's contract in north London expires in the summer, although reports earlier this season suggested the club are set to trigger a one-year extension option in the Neath-born defender's deal.

However, there has been no official confirmation from Spurs that Davies will remain in the English capital beyond this season.

He has, on the whole, been a key figure in Europe for his club this season.

But he was an unused substitute in Spurs’ 3-1 home victory over Bodø/Glimt on Thursday night - just as he was in both legs of the quarter-final triumph over 2021-22 winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

On the other hand, having made just four league appearances between August and mid-January, Davies has become a far more prominent figure in his side's recent Premier League schedule.

Behind-the-scenes, Davies will undoubtedly have held conversations with his representatives and the club over plans for his own future.

Craig Bellamy will be keeping a close eye on Davies' situation, not least the defender's fitness given his injury problems during the course of the campaign so far.

READ MORE: Ben Davies of Tottenham

With Gareth Bale retired and the roles of Euro 2016 heroes Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen heavily limited these days, Davies brings crucial experience to a Wales side that is continuing to evolve under its new boss.

That is evidenced by the fact that Davies is joined only by Joe Rodon and Neco Williams in playing every minute of Bellamy's eight games as manager so far.

His latest two international outings also mean he sits fourth - behind only Bale, Wayne Hennessey and Chris Gunter - on his country's all-time list of record appearance makers for the men's side with 94 caps.

Still at just 32 years of age, few would bet against Davies overtaking Bale's tally of 111 caps.

And Bellamy can ill-afford to lose a player of Davies' quality and experience as Wales look to continue their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with qualifying matches against Liechtenstein and Belgium in June.

He has captained Wales in seven of their eight fixtures to date under Bellamy, scoring a goal and claiming an assist as the national side kick-started the current campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Kazakhstan at Cardiff City Stadium in March.

Having joined Tottenham from boyhood club Swansea in 2014, Davies is currently Spurs' longest-serving player.

READ MORE: Ben Davies Return Boosts Wales . . . But Cannot Stop Spurs Sinking Again

Despite limited game time in spells at club level this season, all the signs suggest that Postecoglou is a real admirer of the Wales international.

His ability to fill in at left-back, left centre-back or on the left of a back three has provided Spurs with some much-needed versatility during a season in which they have been blighted by injuries.

But it all appears to come back to a crucial double header as Spurs attempt to mask what has been a wretched league campaign by lifting European silverware for the first time since 1984.

At least they took a big step towards a place in the Europa League final with a 3-1 last-four first leg win - thanks to an opening early goal from Wales striker Brennan Johnson - and they will be confident of getting the job done in Norway.

If they do, then Davies will have a chance of appearing in a European final at Bilbao's San Mamés on Wednesday, May 21.

He will then hope to lift a trophy for the first time in his 11 years at the club before swiftly switching focus to Wales' latest crunch double header.

Beyond that, it remains to be seen. 

But the coming weeks could well be decisive in determining that particular outcome.

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