Antonio Conte has previously made a comparison between Cesar Azpiliceuta and one of his own Tottenham defenders, whose performances don't always standout.
Ben Davies has been playing in a back three this season, often alongside Eric Dier and Cristian Romero and the trio have produced up and down displays under the Italian so far.
Overall the back line have adapted well to Conte's favoured formation and helped create a strong defence against a number of sides so far this season.
Despite this, the business that was done during the summer transfer window could affect the Welshman's spot in the regular XI.
In the 2019/20 season Davies made 18 Premier League appearances and in the last campaign the defender made 20.
During Jose Mourinho's time in charge of Spurs, the Portuguese head coach had praise for the 28-year-old.
"Against Chelsea he [Davies] had to play five minutes," Mourinho said at the end of 2020. "Last season he would be playing 90, this season on the bench.
"He played the last five minutes like it was the last five minutes of his career. Why? Because the team is the most important thing."
A few months earlier, Mourinho also commended the Welsh international on his versatility.
"Ben is very intelligent," the 59-year-old admitted. "So that's why it's quite easy to understand the difference between playing left-back, centre-back with five or centre-back with four.
"Of course left-footed there are not many centre-backs with a left-foot. Some clubs have them but the majority don't.
"To have him as an option is also good because to attack, the build-up is also important," Mourinho added.
This season Davies has made 30 appearances in all competitions, including 15 Premier League starts and adapted well to his place on the left of the back three.
Although the likes of Davinson Sanchez and Joe Rodon could step in in his role, there is no one who quite suits it like the Welshman does.
The defender has tried to play his part both defensively and offensively this season, making 37 clearances, 60 recoveries and producing 13 crosses and 18 accurate long balls.
The 28-year-old has been at the club for almost eight years and has had to work hard for his regular game time, something former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has praised him for.
"He's had to bide his time. When he signed for club in 2014 I was here and he's been a great servant for the football club," Dawson explained ahead of Spurs' recent 2-0 defeat to Wolves.
"I think he's perfect. I think when you're playing the formation you have to be able to use your left foot.
"I think he's been brilliant and I've bigged Ben up an awful lot since he's come into the team," the former Lilywhites skipper added.
"He does everything as a left centre-half you need to do. He can defend in wide areas because he's played left back. Fantastic he's been."
In Tottenham's most recent victory at Elland Road, there were two moments which almost summed up Davies.
In the closing minutes of the game the defender miscontrolled the ball and it fell to Raphinha, but Davies immediately tried to win the ball back, which ended in him giving away a free-kick on the edge of the box.
When his side were 3-0 up and Leeds were on the attack, Hugo Lloris came out of his box to try and clear the ball but Spurs ended up with an open goal. It was the Welsh international who managed to get back and make a sliding clearance to help his side keep a clean sheet.
These two moments show that there are mistakes in the 28-year-old's game, but he fights for his side and can save his side in key spells of matches.
After Tottenham's 3-0 victory over Norwich in December, where Davies played 90 minutes and registered an assist for Son Heung-min's goal, Conte praised the defender and made a comparison to one of his former Chelsea players.
"Ben is playing very well and I think that that role specifically, I can get out the best of him," the Italian admitted. "It happens the same with [Cesar] Azpilicueta and I think the three central defenders, it's important to be good defensively.
"I need players with personality to play the ball and also to be offensive.
"Ben is one of these players, he shows great solidity and plays well defensively," he added. "He’s always really focussed and concentrated. He played well."
The 28-year-old has also praised his new boss, highlighting the good relationship the two seem to have.
With Davies being at the club for a number of years, he is a senior player who also acts as one of the leaders on the field and can often be seen trying to help his side stay organised and encouraging them in bad spells of play.
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As Davies isn't someone who scores loads of goals or does particularly eye-catching things during games, his good performances sometimes go unnoticed.
The defender is one of a number of players who has improved since Conte's arrival, but will that be enough?
As well as the right wing-back, central midfielder and striker that the 52-year-old wanted during the January transfer window, a left centre-back was also amongst rumoured targets.
With no other secure players to step-in if Davies becomes unavailable, this could be one of Fabio Paratici's targets for the summer window.
There then becomes the question of whether the Welsh international will be good enough to keep his place in the Tottenham squad or whether his solid defensive performances will be less impressive if some competition is brought to north London?
If Davies can produce some more solid performances and continue his improvement under Conte, in the final few months of the season, then he will create a harder task for a competitor to come in and take his spot in the regular line-up in the next campaign but only time will tell what the future holds.
