Ben Davies: 'Living in Denmark helped my development'

By Jonny Whitfield, Reporter | 21 January 2018

Ben Davies: 'Living in Denmark helped me'

Tottenham Hotspur full-back Ben Davies says that living in Denmark for two years as a child helped his development as a football player.

Tottenham Hotspur full-back Ben Davies has said that living in Denmark for two years as a child helped his development as a football player.

The Welsh defender moved to Scandinavia for two years at the age of eight, where the 24-year-old played football indoors in the winter due to the snowy conditions.

Davies has said that the benefits of a different football culture at a young age helped him to develop into a professional player.

"In the winter in Wales, playing on grass pitches you can't pass the ball and 50% of games are called off because of the weather," Davies told The Telegraph.

"Every winter in Denmark, we used to play indoor football on handball courts. It was all about technique and passing and moving. It makes you learn a lot at that age. I was the keeper-sweeper. "They don't actually have goalkeepers as you can't use your hands. It was all pass and move."

Davies has also revealed his excitement at the prospect of playing under newly-appointed Wales boss Ryan Giggs, after idolising the former Manchester United midfielder as a youngster.

"Trying to learn off [Giggs] and to see the way he played was perfect for me. Being around him will be a great opportunity," he said.

Tottenham take on Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, looking to move level on points with Liverpool in the Premier League table.