Rangers’ rumored £4 million star discusses his future beyond the summer transfer window
After getting his first start of the year against St. Johnstone, Rangers defender Ben Davies admits he never intended to leave Ibrox this summer.
In a reputed £3 million rising to £4 million agreement, the Gers were thought to have pulled off somewhat of a coup by acquiring the center-back from Liverpool last summer.
Ben Davies’ transition to Rangers has been complicated by injury, and the match against St. Johnstone marked the defender’s first start and outing of the current campaign.
Ben Davies aims to build on St. Johnstone
As the deadline drew near, there were rumors that Davies intended to stick it out at Rangers for the remainder of the year rather than taking a loan to Stoke City.And now the player, who asserted he had no intention of leaving Ibrox this summer, has confirmed that.
“I don’t think so,” Davies responded when asked if he had ever contemplated returning to England.
“I’m not sure what was said about me, but as far as I was concerned, I was a Ranger and I wasn’t looking to move,” the player stated.
“My top priorities this summer were getting in shape and rejoining the team, which I did up in Perth.
The manager said that I was a crucial component of his future plans. As a result, I remembered it and made sure to go get fit. The weekend before, he played me, so…
Since he arrived, the management has placed a lot of trust in me. I need to make up for that by giving some solid performances.
This was Ben Davies’ first start since a league match against Aberdeen in late April, he said following St Johnstone’s victory.
Ben Davies played against 38 clubs during the previous season, but the Ibrox fans did not feel that his contribution was sufficient because the league campaign had already been all but abandoned by the time the center defender began seeing regular playing time.
Reading these statements will be energizing for Rangers supporters because there are questions about the defender’s dedication to the team.
There is optimism that Ben Davies, who will start for Rangers against St. Johnstone, can continue to make an impact at the club worthy of the significant investment made to get him there.
Stoke City reportedly sought for a third defender at the end of the summer window despite having already strengthened their defense.
Stoke City made a bid for Ben Davies on deadline day, but Ben Davies never gave it any thought. Rangers turned down the strategy.
Davies is vying for first-team berths at Rangers and was persuaded to stay by the manager’s assessment of his value as a player.
Although Davies would have been an experienced addition to Stoke City, his playing time would not have been guaranteed because the squad already boasts a solid back line.
Despite a late Potters approach for his services on deadline day, Ben Davies has acknowledged that he never gave moving to Stoke City from Rangers any thought.
Following the injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, and Joe Gomez, which forced the likes of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams—both currently playing in Scotland—to continue playing—Davies joined Rangers from Liverpool last summer. The former Preston player was a last-minute emergency signing from the Reds as a result of their lockdown situation.
However, despite the fact that his move to Rangers hasn’t uprooted any trees, rumors surfaced on deadline day that Davies may have gone to Stoke. However, the defender has shot down any rumors of that occurring.
What is the latest on Ben Davies’ potential move to Stoke City?
According to The Herald in Scotland, Rangers rejected an approach from Stoke to sign Davies on a loan deal in the final knockings of the transfer window.
Alex Neil, who had managed the star at Preston North End, lodged a late bid, though it was deemed unacceptable with the former Liverpool man remaining at Ibrox.
Already one year into his spell for Michael Beale’s side, he is challenging Connor Goldson and John Souttar for first-team spots, which means that game time will be on rational terms for the Barrow-born stopper.
But the offer put to Rangers wasn’t enough to make them part ways with Davies, meaning he’ll stay north of the border.
What has Ben Davies said on a potential move to Stoke City?
Speaking ahead of Rangers’ European campaign, which is set to get underway on Thursday, the defender was adamant that he was reluctant to move from Glasgow – which could have ruled out a move to the Midlands had a bid been accepted.
He said to The Times: “I’m not sure what was said above me [within Rangers] but as far as I was concerned I was a Rangers player and I wasn’t looking to move.
“The manager said I was an important part of what he was looking to do going forward. So I took that in and made sure I went and got myself fit. I think the manager has shown a lot of faith in me since he’s been here.
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I feel like it’s about time I pay that back and gave some solid performances. I wish to work for him since we have a fantastic working connection. I had a terrific sense of fitness. My lungs felt healthy. Going forward, I absolutely need to make a point, and I had planned to do so on Saturday, but I still have a lot of work to do.
Would Stoke City have been wise to sign Ben Davies?
For the Cumbria-born defender, getting back to the Championship wouldn’t be a simple journey. In the summer, the Potters acquired Ki-Jana Hoever and Luke McNally on loans from Wolves and Burnley, respectively. Hoever is a right-back by profession but can play in the center of defense, while the Potters also acquired Michael Rose on a permanent basis from Coventry City.
Of course, Davies has Champions League experience from playing for Rangers in Europe’s top league last season; although losing every match, his performances against Liverpool, Napoli, and Ajax will have aided his argument.
The star would have been Alex Neil’s team’s best signing since he would have been the most seasoned member of the back line at the Bet365 Stadium.
However, their club already has a plethora of players, including Ben Wilmot and the three defenders stated above who joined during the summer. As a result, it is unclear if Davies would have received any playing time.
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