Tottenham Hotspur duo Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson are also teammates at international level, and both started for Wales in Craig Bellamy’s first game in charge of the country.
Davies and Johnson lined up in the starting XI as the Dragons hosted Turkiye at the Cardiff City Stadium, both teams hoping to get off to the best possible start in the UEFA Nations League.
In the end, both Wales and Turkiye had to settle for a 0-0 draw, with Dragons ace Sorba Thomas having a goal disallowed and Baris Alper Yilmaz being sent off for the visitors.
The Tottenham duo gave good accounts of themselves, with Davies in particular earning plaudits for helping his nation to a clean sheet.
Meanwhile, Johnson showed glimpses of quality, but there was some criticism about the quality of his crosses and deliveries.
Ben Davies ‘colossal’ while Brennan Johnson showing ‘plenty of signs of promise’
Wales Online gave Davies an 8 out of 10 rating for his efforts on the night, saying the Tottenham defender “did everything asked of him all night. A colossal performance.”
Y Clwb Pel-Droed also awarded the £10million man a score of 8 out of 10, adding: “Davies was solid at the back playing up against Real Madrid talent Arda Guler keeping him quiet through the game.
“He provided a crucial block following poor pass from (Danny) Ward and made some key interceptions to deny the away side opportunities.”
As for Johnson, Wales Online gave the Spurs forward a 7 out of 10 rating, describing him as “a thorn in the side of Turkey all evening. Finishing looked a little rusty, but plenty of signs of promise there.”
Meanwhile, Y Clwb Pel-Droed gave the £47.5million ace a 6 out of 10 rating and wrote: “Johnson worked hard down the right-hand side causing issues for the opposition defence going forward and contributed defensively.
“He was wasteful with crossing opportunities at times, especially with the visitors down a man and there is a feeling that there is still a lot more to see from him in a Wales shirt, with the hopes that over time Bellamy can bring it out of him.”
What next for Wales ahead of NLD?
Both Davies and Johnson are important squad players for Ange Postecoglou and there’s a good chance they will both be in the matchday squad for the North London derby.
Tottenham’s coaches and fans will be hoping both come through unscathed as Wales face Montenegro away on Monday night.
Attention will then turn to Spurs’ huge Premier League derby with Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 15 September.
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