Ben Davies: 363 games and counting in his 13th Spurs pre-season

Photo: Steindy (talk) 16:04, 10 November 2016 (UTC) / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Ben Davies is entering his 13th pre-season at Tottenham Hotspur, having made 363 appearances for the club since joining from Swansea City in the summer of 2014 — placing him joint-25th on the all-time appearance list alongside Jermain Defoe.

The Welsh defender, now 33, suffered a serious knee injury in January 2026 that ruled him out for the remainder of the season. He has since returned to full fitness and spoken about his enthusiasm for the year ahead.

"I'm excited for another year, another journey to be honest," Davies said. "Last January I had a really bad injury, but I've worked my socks off with real enthusiasm to come back. I feel really good this pre-season."

Davies described new head coach Roberto De Zerbi's training methods as relentlessly demanding. "He's relentless in his pursuit for high-quality football. Every single day on the training pitch he's demanding, but the way he wants to play, you need to work at it, because you know when it comes off, it's beautiful to watch."

On the togetherness built during Tottenham's difficult 2025-26 season, which ended with a Premier League survival battle, Davies said the shared struggle had brought the group closer. "Sometimes when you're in those tough moments together it brings you a lot closer. It makes you collectively stronger, individually stronger."

Davies also welcomed the club's defensive reinforcements this summer, with Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi arriving. "We feel excited, especially with the signings we've brought in, and we've all got a clear goal, what's expected from us this year."

The 33-year-old, who has also reached 100 caps for Wales, reflected on more than a decade at the club. "I've worked hard, given everything I can for this club, and that's probably a reason I'm still here as well. So, it's become a huge part of my life."

Davies added that his personal life had been shaped entirely by his time in north London. "I met my wife when I moved here, we had our kids when I got here. I couldn't have imagined that it would have turned out any better."