Danny Rose's continued absence from Tottenham's Premier League squad puts his World Cup chances in doubt

  • Danny Rose missed out on Tottenham's Premier League squad again on Saturday
  • Rose played 90 minutes in midweek in the Champions League at Dortmund
  • But Ben Davies was again preferred to him against West Brom at Wembley
  • Continuing to miss Premier League matches will hamper his World Cup chances 

Just as the fury was starting to subside and Danny Rose was coming to terms with his omission from the north London derby, Mauricio Pochettino left him out again.

It is hard to imagine Rose found this any easier to swallow as he was ordered to work on his fitness with Erik Lamela rather than help his Tottenham team-mates as they dropped points against West Bromwich Albion.

Having played for 90 minutes in midweek against Borussia Dortmund and spoken with admirable honesty about his 'anger' at missing the defeat at Arsenal, here was another jolt back to the reality of his predicament.  


Danny Rose played for 90 minutes in midweek against Dortmund but was left out on Saturday

Danny Rose played for 90 minutes in midweek against Dortmund but was left out on Saturday

The England left-back, first-choice for his country at Euro 2016, cannot get into Pochettino's team and is concerned about losing his place in the World Cup squad.

'Like another player no issue,' said Pochettino frostily when the matter was raised after the game. 'Was training like another.'

In truth, Rose's form has been poor since he returned after 10 months out with a serious knee ligament injury.

Unsurprisingly, he seems short of match-sharpness and it is impossible to criticise Pochettino for selecting Ben Davies, solid and dependable, as the better of his two left-back options.

What is more surprising is the manager's determination to freeze him completely out of the matchday squad.

Against West Brom, the Spurs boss picked two full-backs among his seven substitutes, Serge Aurier and Kyle Walker-Peters, both of them right-sided. There was no naturally left-sided player on the bench. 

Mauricio Pochettino decided to select Ben Davies over Rose at left back against West Brom

Mauricio Pochettino decided to select Ben Davies over Rose at left back against West Brom

Perhaps his time is better spent at the training ground — and he is likely to be back in the team at Leicester on Tuesday — but he is firmly behind Davies in the pecking order and will be aware that Pochettino is not immune to forming grudges.

Younes Kaboul, Etienne Capoue, Paulinho and Andros Townsend can all testify how difficult it can be to find a way back into the Argentine's affections once he has decided to turn a cold shoulder.

When Kyle Walker dared to ask for a move at a time when Spurs were chasing the title, the manager did not react well.

There were no real-time clues from the Spurs boss when asked about Walker.

Only straight-bat answers, until he released his book 'Brave New World' about life behind the scenes at Tottenham and wrote: 'I considered it to be an alarming lack of respect for his team-mates and a slap in the face for the club.'

Davies is solid and dependable and is the better of Spurs' two options at left-back currently

Davies is solid and dependable and is the better of Spurs' two options at left-back currently

Walker gradually played a little less and Kieran Trippier played a little more until a point when it became clear Walker was bound for Manchester City.

Like Walker, Rose has made it plain he wants to leave and spoke honestly after his appearance in Dortmund about his commitment to helping the club win something this season.

Beyond that, he is aware of interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, which is based on the presumption he is still the player he was before the serious injury.

If Rose's Tottenham career is set on a similar trajectory to Walker's it cannot be good for his World Cup ambitions.

Kyle Walker was bumped down the pecking order at Spurs before moving to Manchester City

Kyle Walker was bumped down the pecking order at Spurs before moving to Manchester City