Ben Davies' in-tray as Wales captain: From Premier League summit with Tottenham to containing Luca Modric - Reporter Notebook

Wales stand-in captain Ben Davies takes over Aaron Ramsey's role in his absence needing to gee up the international side to upset the odds to qualify for Euro 2024; Geraint Hughes details why the 30-year-old is the man for the job...

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Monday 9 October 2023 22:13, UK

Tottenham are top of the Premier League — yet there is some work to do for Ben Davies this week. The Spurs defender will lead Wales over the international break in a week which could arguably define exactly where they are in their post-Gareth Bale transition period.

I doubt any Wales player or supporter will question Davies' ability to captain his country this week. No worries there, his credentials are proven.

After making his Wales debut at the age of 19, 80 caps have followed. He has consistently been at the heart of Welsh success over the past decade.

Clearly, the injury to Aaron Ramsey is a huge blow for his country, but in terms of leadership Davies is more than able.

Indeed, following the retirement of Bale after the World Cup, many thought his heir apparent would be Davies and not Ramsey. It would have been a tough decision for manager Rob Page either way, one he acknowledged last week when confirming Davies as skipper for this week's matches.

«It's something I'm incredibly proud to do, it's something I've always wanted to do,» said Davies himself ahead of the double header. «I've done it before, but it's nice going into the games knowing the situation we're in, and I'm ready for it.

»We've put ourselves in a situation in the group where we need a result. As a squad we need to believe we can go out there and do it."

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So what must he do over