Neil: The time is right for Ben Davies to show his talents in the Premier League

Preston manager Alex Neil believes Ben Davies is at the right stage of his career to make the step up to the Premier League.

The signing of the Preston central defender seemingly came out of the blue, but the ground work was being done behind the scenes and the 25 year-old comes to the Reds with some big positives not only with his overall quality but as a leader too. Much like having a go on Australia pokies this signing is a gamble, but if it pays off then Klopp will be quids in. 

Speaking at a press conference, Neil went through the ins and out of the deal including the rumoured deal to Celtic as Lancashire Live reported.

“To my knowledge, the deal with Celtic looked like he would end up there but in this window we wouldn't have allowed him to go to Celtic unless there was a substantial fee attached - which I don't think we would've got.

"I fully anticipated him staying until the end of the season and then naturally, Liverpool blew everything out of the water for two reasons.

"Liverpool were very good in that they offered us a good fee for a lad with less than six months remaining, and I couldn't stop Ben from fulfilling that ambition of playing at the highest level with the world champions.

"Incredible couple of days for him for that turnaround."

The 39 year-old Scot who guided Norwich into the Premier League in 2015 says that he was extra determined to see his player make the big move. Davies has struck it lucky like a winner at real money casinos US. 

"I think I was happier than he was to be honest!"

"I think he was shocked and I just said 'listen, you've just got to make sure that you get this across the line."

“And his first question was 'How do you think Peter ( Preston North End owners' representative Peter Ridsdale) will be? Do you think he will let me go?' and I just told him not to worry.

Neil fully expects Davies to hit the ground running once the realisation of this big move finally sinks in.

“I think he's ready, I think he is at a stage where his game has come together and I think if he does get an opportunity we will be talking about a real quality centre-back."

"I don't think there are too many natural left-sided centre-backs floating about and Ben's got all the pace and comfort on the ball you would expect from a top player.

"I hope that he brings his personality out, you've got to have that confidence and sort of arrogance a bit to believe in yourself that much; you're going to be highly scrutinized and I just hope Ben goes and really believes himself.

“That wasn't always the case, he has filled out now and his confident has gone to a new level.

"If you can defend against the physicality that comes with Championship level, it will just be the speed of the game and power of the players in the Premier League that he will be able to adapt to.

"But I don't think that will take him long because those are his best attributes - reading the game and his speed across the ground.”

Neil cited the fact that Liverpool have made a number of ‘ under the radar’ signings in the past few years which also gives real hope to Davies.

"If you look at the signings Liverpool have made - Robertson, Wijnaldum, Jota - they were not of a too dissimilar ilk when they were brought in and they've turned out to be superstars.

“I really don't see why Ben can't be the same.

Jurgen Klopp often says once a move is completed it is now down to the player to show his credentials and Neil is of the same mindset.

“Like anything else he's got to earn it, you don't get handed something for nothing in football.

"He's earned his move, now he's got to earn his opportunity and when he gets it he has to show everyone what he's about and that won't faze Ben.

“He knows that the hard work is only just really beginning."