Swansea boss Garry Monk backs Ben Davies to shine at Spurs

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Ben DaviesImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Ben Davies has made 12 international appearances for Wales.

Swansea City manager Garry Monk says Tottenham have yet to see the best of Ben Davies.

Defender Davies, 21, joined Tottenham from Swansea in the summer of 2014 in a swap deal which took Gylfi Sigurdsson to the Liberty Stadium.

The Wales international initially struggled to break into the Spurs team, but is expected to face Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.

"Ben's a great player for them and he's still developing for them," said Monk.

"It took him a little time to settle, and I don't know the ins-and-outs of what he's been like in training, but I've seen some of the games that he's played recently and he's done very well."

Davies burst into the Swansea first team following an injury to fellow Wales full-back Neil Taylor at the start of the 2012-13 season.

He established himself as the Swans' first-choice left-back under then-manager Michael Laudrup, and earned his first international cap in October 2012.

Davies remained first choice following the departure of Laudrup in January 2014, and moved to Tottenham at the end of his second full season in the top flight.

His arrival at Tottenham saw the the player struggle to break into the first team, with his starts initially limited to Europa Cup games.

However, Davies has played in Tottenham's last four Premier League games - a fact that does not surprise Monk.

"Different managers see things differently," he said.

"But Ben's a very good player and it took him a little bit of time to force his way into the team.

"But more recently he has done that and looks to be the first choice at the moment and it's up to him to keep that shirt.

"He's developing as a player and I'm sure Tottenham have yet to see the best of him but I'm sure they'll get to see that in future."

Monk refuted claims that Swansea had got the better deal part of the deal with Sigurdsson's arrival at the Liberty Stadium.

"The deal was done because we needed a player in midfield, and Gylfi has been great for us," he added.

"But it was not done with the thought that we'd get the better player.

"Ben will be a great player for Tottenham."

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