After the best part of a decade as a first-team regular at Tottenham Hotspur, Danny Rose decided to embark on a new challenge by joining Newcastle United on loan in January.
A six-month loan, Rose was hoping to rebuild his confidence having lost his place at Spurs under Jose Mourinho.
Capped 29 times by England, the left-back hoped to stake his claim for a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad before the tournament’s postponement.
With his Spurs contract set to expire in 2021, included in the loan deal was an option to make his Newcastle move permanent this summer.
After arriving in the North East, Rose was immediately included in Steve Bruce’s matchday squad for the Magpies’ home game against Norwich City.
He replaced Allan Saint-Maximin in the 79th-minute for his debut. However, his first start for the Geordies proved a chastening experience.
Installed on the left of Bruce’s five-man defence for a daunting trip to Arsenal, Rose endured a torrid afternoon against an in-form Nicolas Pepe, who notched a goal and two assists as the Gunners ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
An experienced full-back, Rose would have been disappointed with his contribution (or lack thereof) for Arsenal’s first two goals. After failing to stop Pepe’s cross for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener, he was left flat-footed as the Frenchman peeled away to score the home side’s second.
Further disappointment ensued the following week as Rose was replaced in the 71st-minute during Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
His fortunes have improved, though, helping his side keep a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Burnley before playing a full 90 minutes in the 3-2 FA Cup fifth-round victory at West Bromwich Albion.
Rose’s most-recent appearance for Bruce’s side came as Newcastle earned an important and hard-fought 1-0 win at Southampton to leapfrog the Saints into 13th in the table, on March 7.
With his loan deal due to expire this summer, Rose’s future remains uncertain.
He has been unable to build enough momentum to warrant a contract at St James’ Park yet he does not appear to figure in Mourinho’s plans in north London.
The Portuguese coach is determined to help Ryan Sessegnon, 10 years Rose’s junior, fulfill his potential at Tottenham following a big-money move from Fulham in 2019, while the former Chelsea manager also has Ben Davies in his ranks.
With that, it’s difficult to see Rose elbowing his way back into the picture at Spurs.
However, that certainly does not spell the end to his top-flight career.
At 29, Rose has plenty of miles left and, provided he can stay clear of injury, he has the experience and skills to prove an asset for another Premier League club.
Having been around for so long, it will be interesting to see what lies in store for a man who has twice been included in the PFA Team of the Year.
