Wales suffered Euro heartbreak on Tuesday night against Poland as their dreams of playing this summer ended in a penalty shootout.
All three of Tottenham Hotspur’s Wales internationals started against Poland, but they were unable to book their tickets for Germany.
Perhaps it may be a positive for Tottenham to see their Wales contingent not play any more games over the summer, but Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson will naturally be gutted to miss out.
What the Welsh media said about Johnson and Davies
It was a night Wales will want to forget having had their dreams crushed in a penalty shootout following a goalless 120 minutes of football.
Davies and Joe Rodon played the entirety of the game, whereas, Johnson came off after 70 minutes.
Although that may be a positive for Spurs in Johnson did not go the distance and will, therefore, have some fresher legs, it does suggest his display was below par.
Having scored last week in their previous Euro Qualifier, the media were not as impressed on Tuesday night by Johnson’s display, saying: ‘Looked more of a danger with the ball at his feet early in the game and ran at defenders. But he quietened after a bright start and struggled to impart his quality on the tie.’
However, the same could not be said about Davies who once again captained his side and led by example, the Welsh media said: ‘Star man – Won more than his fair share of duels and beat [Robert] Lewandowski in the air a few times. Was unlucky to see a headed goal of his ruled out for offside. Was just everywhere. Netted his penalty, too.’
What has been said about Davies becoming Spurs manager
Davies’ summer will now have a lot more free time than he would have been hoping for.
But this is a man who is involved in a lot outside of his action on the pitch having just been awarded his UEFA A-Licence as well as earning himself a Bachelor’s degree.
He is clearly a very intelligent person and it is seriously impressive that he has been able to balance all of these things away from his life as a Spurs player.
Although he may not be Ange Postecoglou’s number one choice at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he has been tipped as a potential successor in the dugout.
Speaking during the international break, reliable journalist Alasdair Gold has suggested Davies could one day find himself managing the Lilywhites.
He said: “We could be talking about Ben Davies as a future top manager. Could be in a position to hang up his boots and go straight into it. I don’t know if that would work with a club like Spurs, but yeah, I think he’s definitely one to watch.”
Although that may be some years off, Davies’ form over this international break could make interesting viewing for Postecoglou on the back of their last defeat to Fulham.
Destiny Udogie was slammed for his display against the Cottagers and new boy, Radu Dragusin, had a far from perfect debut as Fulham ran out as 3-0 victors.
Whether Davies comes into the side for the game against Luton Town on the weekend or not, it is encouraging that he is maintaining this level despite not playing regularly.