Since his return to the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, Jose Mourinho has selected a reasonably stable squad, never making a multitude of changes from week to week. Though the area of the pitch he seems least settled with has been left-back. Thus far Jan Vertonghen has been utilised there on four occasions, with Danny Rose and Ben Davies making two and one appearances respectively. With Vertonghen naturally a centre back and his contract expiring in the summer, the Portuguese manager has little time to waste in deciding who will hold down the spot for the foreseeable future.
Presumably, the reason Vertonghen has been preferred there so far this season is because Serge Aurier on the opposite flank is so wildly attacking. Therefore the Belgian can slot in tight alongside compatriot Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez to form a back three in possession. Vertonghen has deputised capably so far, but considering Mourinho has never played a system similar to this one previously in his career, it might just be a temporary fix while he figures out his alternative options.
Another player who can comfortably slot in is Rose, who has done so twice under Mourinho, both coming in the Champions League. Though he is more attacking than Vertonghen and the Spurs manager may be concerned it will leave his Tottenham side unbalanced and exposed at the back. This is highlighted by the fact that the England international plays over triple the number of key passes per match relative to Davies, while also making a higher number of dribbles around opponents and putting more crosses into the box.
But if it is a more conservative option Mourinho is searching for, then he should look no further than Davies. The Welsh international can also play as a left centre back and is less adventurous than Rose, meaning he may be the perfect blend of the wing-back and Verthongen. Though Rose has actually made more tackles and clearances this campaign, but that may be a reflection of Davies lack of Premier League action.
Alternatively, Mourinho may opt to dip into the transfer market, either way, it does not currently look promising for Rose and Davies to have a player out of their natural position being preferred to the pair. The only hope for the Spurs left-back duo is that Vertonghen failed to sign an extension to his current deal and Mourinho prioritises transfers elsewhere. At the moment it is becoming increasingly prominent neither of them is the first pick.
