Home » Conte makes a concerning admission about Tottenham signing Djed Spence – opinion

Conte makes a concerning admission about Tottenham signing Djed Spence – opinion

By Mehdi Gokal -

Antonio Conte has revealed that Djed Spence was not a signing he wanted to make after the 21-year-old completed a move from Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

The right-back became the club’s sixth signing after Richarlison, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Clement Lenglet, and Ivan Perisic. He enjoyed a successful season at Nottingham Forest where he was on loan from Middlesbrough, helping them win promotion to the Premier League.  

But Antonio Conte has not revealed that singing him was not his idea. When asked in an interview with football.london about their summer signings and the players he had asked Levy to sign, Conte made a surprising admission that Djed Spence was not his signing. He said:

“Spence is an investment of the club. The club wanted to do it. I said OK, this player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us. The club decided to buy him.”

What does this mean?
Such a comment could mean that Antonio Conte does not have full confidence in the youngster to take on the right-wing-back role, and we might not see as much of him in the first team next season. But with his age and potential, there is no doubt that he’s one for the future and will end up being a good investment for Spurs.

Another concern could be Daniel Levy’s involvement in the signings. Despite the claims that Antonio Conte has the final say on his signings, the Italian distancing himself with the credit of Spence signature shows that there is still interference from the hierarchy.

Tags Antonio Conte daniel levy Djed Spence NewsNow Tottenham Hotspur
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East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago
Reply to  ForzaSpurs

He had a lot of interest at the time, several big clubs were sniffing around and he and his agent were deciding if he should make the move to Spurs at that time.

Once a club have identified a target and have agreed the transfer fee it’s completely normal for the coach/manager to speak to the player and make a strong case for the player to join. Especially a coach like Pochettino who is known for developing young players.

Your desperate piece of ‘evidence’ you’ve cut and pasted changes nothing. Where does it say that Pochettino targeted him? Where does it say that Pochettino scouted him, did the due diligence around his personality and attitude?

This is the coach just doing their job when the club are trying to sign a player. I’ve never said that Pochettino didn’t fancy working with him, because he’s quite obviously a very talented player and the transfer had probably been agreed by the clubs. he was 22 and needled to be sold the concept of moving to Spurs. This happens all the time with transfers, and it’s got nothing to do with a player being ‘requested’ by the coach over other targets or not.

So feel free to go in the whole week with Pochettino quotes that prove he personally targeted and scouted him. You won’t be able to. Because my backside seemingly is a more reliable source of facts than your cut and pasting skills. That quote does naff all to back up your little theory I’m afraid. Nice try though…

Last edited 1 year ago by Easty
ForzaSpurs
ForzaSpurs
1 year ago
Reply to  ForzaSpurs

You want more ? We can go on the entire week with quotes from him. You must think people are gullible

ForzaSpurs
ForzaSpurs
1 year ago
Reply to  East Stand

I can post articles upon articles with quotes not rubbish you pull out of your backside ,Pochetino wanted Ndombele and requested Levy get him,Ndombele only joined spurs because he was convinced by him,use google and find the articles

How did he convince you?
It is difficult to describe but he knows how to touch people, to leave a mark on people. He looked at me in the eyes and said: “come with me, I am sure that you will progress.” It is these types of little things that made me want to sign over there. I could see that he really, genuinely wanted me, that he genuinely liked me.. An extract from an interview after joining spurs ,there is numerous mentions of Poch convincing him to join

Andrew
Andrew
1 year ago
Reply to  Markp

In the interviews I’ve seen with Spence he’s very much not arrogant.

Andrew
Andrew
1 year ago
Reply to  JimmyGrievance

Boro needed funds for players and Chelsea were interested. I think Spence is already better than Doherty and Royal.

East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago

You’re non normally that discerning, nice to hear…

East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago
Reply to  The Boy

👍

East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago
Reply to  ForzaSpurs

‘Requested’? Please feel free to back that up with hard evidence. Hitchen and Levy’s fantasy Modric Mk 2 with Poch with the turd polish. They sack him and it goes t*ts up…

Last edited 1 year ago by Easty
East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago
Reply to  ForzaSpurs

Yeah I get that, but Chavs got Conte without needing his ‘mate’ on board first to talk him into coming. What’s the alternative, Timmy Sherwood? I’m not grateful for anything ENIC have served up, if you are then crack on…

East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago

‘Botchy’ got nobody he ‘wanted’.some tittle tattle from the archives doesn’t qualify as evidence, by the way…

Last edited 1 year ago by Easty
ForzaSpurs
ForzaSpurs
1 year ago
Reply to  East Stand

And Conte ,the manager who we got because of Paratici

ForzaSpurs
ForzaSpurs
1 year ago
Reply to  East Stand

Who said he is the best director of football in the world ?Yes the same Ndombele that also was requested by Potchetino and also tried to sign by Potchetino at Psg

Park Lane
Park Lane
1 year ago
Reply to  Markp

You said he appears to be arrogant though. How?

Markp
Markp
1 year ago
Reply to  Park Lane

just trying to make sense of AC comment. Dont read into it

The Boy
1 year ago
Reply to  East Stand

Everything in the till and no sudden moves.

At which point, the teller green-lighted the robbery by stuffing the cash into bags…

East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago

If you get nicked and the copper says ‘in the van’, people also generally say “ok’ with their arm pushed up behind their back… 😂

Last edited 1 year ago by Easty
East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago
Reply to  Hallenbeck

It’s been hyped as backing for Conte, it isn’t.

East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago

The only players he’s signed that have worked out have been ones he’s known from Juventus. He hasn’t even signed an Italian League player that didn’t either come from or go through Juventus yet. If he doesn’t know the English market either, what is it that he’s bringing exactly? Other than play the role of an ‘expert’ in football related matters, to take the heat off Levy. Kulusevski, Bentsncur and Romero were all Juve (Romer was there too). Once that pool of knowledge dries up are we just goi going to be left with punts like Royal, with Levy in charge of domestic transfers? Frank Arneson was the real deal, this guy I’m not sure about at all. Gatusso, Nuno? Really?

Last edited 1 year ago by Easty
East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago
Reply to  at large

I’m very happy to bring these younger players in, it’s this hype that he’s part of some wider backing for Conte that doesn’t make any sense.

East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago

So he doesn’t improve our squad, by that I meant in the present, anymore than Sessingnon did while he was away on loan in Germany. I doubt Conte will even still be at the club if by the time Spence ever becomes a first teamer.

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
1 year ago
Reply to  East Stand

Botch and Hitchen wanted Tanguy.. They scouted him and convinced him to come.. Hitchen specialised in Ligue 1.
Paratici is not the best director in the world, how did you come to that conclusion?
And Levy doesn’t scout players, he knows nothing about football.
Paratici will have learned a lot about english football and players so far… But his true expertise is Serie A where he’s been working all his previous career…

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
1 year ago
Reply to  East Stand

Young players don’t develop by sitting on the bench and playing the odd cup game…. They stagnate….. Any young player learning his trade needs to be playing week in week out..
Spence doesn’t make the first team, but of course he improves our squad… With Champions league games to play as well we may need all 5 wing backs… Sessy Doherty are open to injuries. Jelly and Doherty were both injured at one point last season.

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
1 year ago
Reply to  Park Lane

I apologise profusely… I’ll sort my exolanation out correctly and properly next time to avoid confusion.

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
1 year ago
Reply to  East Stand

He said ‘ok’.. Look up the definition of ‘ok’… He didn’t say yes but he clearly gave his approval. Then he said he can become an important player. So the club decided to buy him.
It’s all very simple and straightforward. I’ve tried telling you that of course all the managers over the years have input on transfers.
Conte didn’t say ‘no’ did he… Because all the nos haven’t signed for us.
You have far too much time on your hands, again nitpicking over absolutely nothing.

The man who’s Del Conte says YES.

Can you not remember the man from del monte adverts? Its a play on words man.

East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago

As a homegrown quota player who’s not a starter, it’s best that they’re young (apart from Forster), as they can be developed and will be happy with the odd cup appearance etc but still get listed in the squad registered with the relevant football bodies. This will probably mean Winks will move on shortly, one in and one out. Just hope Levy’s not holding out for 30m for Winks or something daft.

Spence doesn’t improve the squad for this season or the next few, look how long it’s taken Sessingnon to start games, three seasons with us?

Last edited 1 year ago by Easty
East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago

But he didn’t say ‘yes’, he just went along with what the club wanted to do. That’s what he said innit.

East Stand
East Stand
1 year ago
Reply to  ForzaSpurs

So Levy and ‘his scouts’ (you mean the same ones that ‘scouted’ Tanguy?), whoever they are, know more about English players than Paraciti? Really?

That’s slightly worrying when he’s supposed to be the best director of football in the world and when it’s a global game and also when he’s been working in England for almost over a year!

at large
at large
1 year ago

If Spence were the marquis signing I’d be worried but as the 6th signing and already adding Richy Bissouma and Perisic I’m fine with taking a punt on a kid with upside.

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
1 year ago
Reply to  Billy Tonsils

👍 The man from Del Conte says YES.

JimmyGrievance
JimmyGrievance
1 year ago
Reply to  Chris

109% right. It also indicates that none of the other top 6 think he’s any good and would improve their first 11. Boro don’t even rate him.

ForzaSpurs
ForzaSpurs
1 year ago

All smoke ,ofcourse he was offered to Conte by Levy ,he is english ,levy and his scouts should know about english footballers more than Paratici and Conte. We need english players for the home grown quota ,secondly Conte would never try to undermine the position he has with the other RB at our club incase non of them get sold. He is killing 3 or 4 birds with 1 stone. Give the chance the Djed to prove to Conte he deserves to be at this club,make the other RB take notice there is a younger new RB ,they either improve or be bench players

Hallenbeck
Hallenbeck
1 year ago

What is surprising about this admission from Conte is that it comes as a surprise to anyone. If anyone was under the illusion that Spence is a Conte priority, then you’ve not been paying attention. Conte famously favours older, proven players. We all know that.

But the appointment of Spence is not in the least bit concerning. He’s young, talented, and cheap. He is coming into a hungry side with decent players he can learn from. He will have an elite coach and staff getting him fit in body and mind and tactics. By Levy standards, the deal has been done early. He will have to fight for his place. He has qualities Conte needs and admires. He will have to work hard. He seems to want to play for Spurs. I can only see his purchase as being entirely shrewd and positive. It’s good business. Yes, there’s a risk, but there always is.

It would be concerning if Spence had been the only significant signing this window, in the fashion of previous windows. We’re so used to being sold the hype and having to satisfy ourselves with slim pickings. But this window is substantially different. The signing of Spence is as it should be. And if it all goes sour with him, we’ve not lost much. A little more than a year of Ndom’s wages.

So credit where credit is due: the balance of signings – young, middling, older, prospect and proven – this window has been phenomenal on paper. This is what it should always have been like. Let’s hope they all live up to the hype.

Halshaw94
Halshaw94
1 year ago
Reply to  Billy Tonsils

Absolutely agree. He’s cocky and got belief in himself but he had plenty of offers. He chose Spurs so the other clubs backed off. I think he’s got bags of potential. I don’t think I saw Liverpool fans moaned when they signed Harvey Elliot or the Portuguese boy from Fulham

Park Lane
Park Lane
1 year ago

Your exolanation sounds far too nuanced.

Every club does this – spot-on.

Park Lane
Park Lane
1 year ago
Reply to  Markp

Why would just you assume the lad is arrogant? We know very little about him

Chris
Chris
1 year ago

Just a reminder that it took months for Levy to get this over the time whilst Conte already had the players he wanted with him in Korea. ( I also exclude Lenglet as he is a short term solution to our CB problem)

Also the only reason we did sign him is because no one else made a bid for him. If any other of the big 6 made a bid for him, I guarantee we would be instead reading how we missed out again due to Levy being a tightfisted *&%$ and taking his time to get a deal over the line just to save a few pounds.

Markp
Markp
1 year ago

Rhe kid does appear to be arrogant, maybe this was ACs way of bringing him down to earth.

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
1 year ago

Tend to agree Yes men don’t work ..I’m quietly chuffed with Spence hopefully Conte can mould him as Steve Cooper (?) at Forest did..

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
1 year ago

This is what all premiership football clubs do. They track and scout young players and often for years. Especially since the homegrown rule all clubs have been on the hunt for quality young English talent. We have full scouting teams from youth to senior level.
We all know the scouting has been 💩 for far too long. I don’t blame Levy for scouting and picking players because he doesn’t do this. I blame him for employing crap personnel like Hitchen and then not getting rid more quickly after years of repeated failure..

I’m not sure what’s concerning here.. The club wanted a player, probably been in the sights for a while.. They ask Conte his opinion. Conte says ok, gives the nod for the signing, says he can become an important player, so the club decides to buy on the managers advice.

Now if the man Conte said ‘No’ he’s not good enough’, and the club still went ahead and bought him then we would have cause for concern.

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