Jamie Redknapp has made the outlandish comparison between Tottenham defender Ben Davies and Premier League legend Denis Irwin.
Spurs’ left-back has enjoyed a meteoric rise during the last year and become a mainstay in the starting XI during Danny Rose’s absence through injury.??The 23-year-old has become a consistent part of the defence and has also shown the versatility to fill in at centre-back if required.
However, Sky Sports pundit Redknapp has made the astonishing claim that Davies reminds him of Manchester United legend Irwin.
The retired Irish defender is regarded as one of the best left-backs in English football during the past few decades and won seven Premier League titles with United.
He was renowned for his levels of consistency at left-back and is mentioned as one of the best full-backs of the Premier League era.
“He reminds me of Denis Irwin, every game he’s 8.5/9 out of 10,” Redknapp told Sky Sports during coverage of Tottenham v West Ham (25 October).
OPINION
There is no doubt that Davies has become a very reliable player under Mauricio Pochettino since he moved to Spurs, but to mention him in the same breath as Irwin is ludicrous. The ex-Manchester United defender was so consistent over a 10-year period and Ashley Cole may be the only left-back of recent times to challenge him. Davies needs to focus on becoming his own player and his immediate task is to stay above of Danny Rose in the pecking order to kep his place in the starting XI. The Wales international is no doubt an important member of the Spurs squad and his return of two goals plus two assists so far suggests he is improving offensively. It is unlikely anyone in the near future will match Irwin’s silverware haul given the competition in the Premier League right now and comparing Davies seems a step too far right now.