Mon 18 June 2018, 16:33
Tottenham HotspurColombia start their World Cup campaign against Japan on Tuesday and Davinson Sanchez insists they have the defensive quality to stand up to the world’s best forwards.
Davinson slotted effortlessly into our side during his first season at the club, playing 31 Premier League games, while cementing his position in the Colombia defence. The 22-year-old only made his international debut in November 2016 but now has nine caps with his performances for the national team helping them to some notable results, including a 3-2 victory away to France and draws against Brazil and Spain.
Defensive stability has been pivotal to those achievements and Davinson believes competition for places between a clutch of quality players has contributed to their resolute displays and enhanced his own development.
“My last two years were very good years for me but always I try to improve every day, every game and in every training session,” he said. “Then you have this competition for your place. We have big names in defence like Cristian Zapata from AC Milan, Yerry Mina from Barcelona, Oscar Murillo from Pachuca, and maybe me.
“It’s better for you because you always try to stay fit and have to be ready to improve every day. But part of how you can perform on the pitch is about how you feel off the pitch. If you are a good person and you have a quality life outside, it’s better for you. For me it’s good because I can improve from the level I am at.”
It’s a short tournament, a maximum seven games, and you need to start well
Colombia are in a competitive-looking Group H and face Poland and Senegal following their opener against Japan in Saransk (1pm UK). Davinson, who recently signed a new contract with us until 2024, is not looking past that first game though and thinks that a victory will give them an excellent chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
“When you get three points in the first game you haven’t already qualified but it’s so close. The most important thing when the competition starts is to try to get as many points as possible so you can go to the next stage. I’m looking forward to it.”
Davinson's 2017-18
- 41 appearances in all competitions
- 31 in the Premier League
- The only player to start all of our eight matches in the Champions League
Colombian fans, like our own, have been raised on attacking football and great players. Davinson grew up hoping to emulate the likes of Carlos Valderrama and Faustino Asprilla and thinks the current crop, including stars such as James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado, have the personalities and ability to shine on the biggest stage.
“I know the character of the players. Everyone tries to be the best they can and confident in themselves because always it’s about you, how you feel, and about how you make the best decisions. For me, it’s important when you play against the best teams that you feel good and then you go into the game with excitement.”
