Manchester City's Interest in Danny Rose Is Good News but Spurs Shouldn't Sell

Danny Rose was among the most criticised players at Tottenham last season. 

Struggling for form under both Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood, he was often replaced by the out-of-position Jan Vertonghen at left-back. 

His successful loan spell at Sunderland the previous season relegated to memory, Rose seemed utterly lost.

Unsure of his role and lacking the conviction that is the cornerstone of his game, he was often wholly responsible for opposition goals. 

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

He claimed that fitness issues plagued him throughout the difficult season and, given how poorly he played, it seems more than plausible. 

The club backed him in the summer with a new five-year contract. 

Spurs were clearly not entirely convinced though, as they sanctioned the signing of Ben Davies from Swansea. 

The Welsh full-back was expected to take the starting role with ease but Rose has risen to the challenge and grown into one of Spurs' stand-out players. 

According to the Mirror, Manchester City have taken notice of the blossoming Rose and are considering an approach in the summer. 

Former Tottenham defender Paul Stalteri argues that Rose has something of Gareth Bale in him. That will be music to the ears of Daniel Levy. 

In fact, given the presence of the younger Davies at the club, Spurs could be willing to do business with City. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

The Manchester club are in need of homegrown players and Rose certainly qualifies. City would be forced to pay handsomely for Rose but it is not an unbelievable transfer story. 

Rose lacks the continental pedigree of the likes of Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov but he is young, quick and aggressive. An occasionally excellent crosser of the ball, Rose is a threat in possession while being more than capable on the defensive side. 

He has surprised more than one Premier League winger with the aggression he invests in every tackle. 

If Spurs' aspirations are to compete with Man City and the other Champions League regulars in England, and they are, they simply cannot sanction this transfer. 

Clubs with such high goals need two reliable left-backs. They need two good players to cover every position, such is the squad-based nature of the modern game. 

They have them now but it has been an age since the club could last call upon two reliable left-sided defenders. 

Selling Rose to a rival would be a significant mistake. 

Not only has he emerged as a top level Premier League player, he has been on the verge of an England debut for most of this season. Twice named in squads, Rose is yet to make his bow but Spurs should not get into the business of selling on young England players with big potential. 

Having spotted that potential when they signed him from Leeds as a teenager, Spurs have patiently awaited this emergence. 

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

When he does eventually make his international debut, his star will only rise higher. 

Rose could be a star for five years or more, City may need him but Spurs can't afford to lose him. 

They should take it as a compliment. City's interest implies that Spurs' policy of buying young English players has left them in a position of strength, now is not the time to loosen their grip on the situation. 

Davies could foreseeably overtake Rose next season. That could see the Englishman's value fall and that elusive international cap even further away but even that scenario should not compel Spurs to sell. 

Unless Man City make an outrageous offer, Spurs should not even consider this deal. The reported fee is in the region of £10 million. That is a significant profit on the £1 million that Spurs paid for Rose as a youngster but would not provide significant compensation for the time spent developing him, let alone pay for an adequate replacement. 

If this rumour is true and City's interest is genuine, Spurs should refuse to do business but take it as an acknowledgement that they are on the right track. 

Several years ago, Spurs were caught in the cycle of coming close to the Champions League only to see the bigger clubs snatch their best players away. In those days it was often the red half of Manchester tormenting Spurs. City may be trying to re-establish that system but Spurs should have no part in it.