Tottenham completed the summer signing of Djed Spence from Championship club Middlesbrough earlier this summer.
The Premier League giants paid a fee of around £20 million for the talented young full-back but he has not been able to establish himself as a regular starter for Antonio Conte’s side just yet.
It was always expected that the youngster will need time to bed in, especially after making a step up to the Premier League. Therefore, his situation at Tottenham is hardly a surprise.
Furthermore, Alasdair Gold from Football London has revealed that Antonio Conte doesn’t believe that the young defender is ready for the Premier League just yet and he might have to accept being a squad player for now.
He said: “Spence seems like a player who ticks every box for a Conte wing-back, but the boss doesn’t believe he’s ready just yet and needs to work behind the scenes. I know he told me in Korea that Spence was a club signing but this doesn’t feel like he’s being stubborn, simply that he doesn’t believe he’s there yet.”
Spence is a prodigious young talent who has shown his quality in the Championship last season. He will be hoping to play more often for his new club and it remains to be seen whether he can force his way into Conte’s first team plans in the coming months.
Earlier there were rumours that the player is not a Conte signing and he was brought in by the club as a potential future investment. The latest revelations from Football London will only add to speculations that Conte is not convinced of the youngster’s quality and Spence might be in for a tough time at Tottenham.
We kept two more senior wingbacks on the books, even Moura played there in pre season. The main box that needs ticking is that he gets in the team and improves the team. By the time that happens Conte will be gone. Gold basically said that he ticks all the boxes as a wingback an is therefore a ‘Conte player’. I suspect to feed the ‘backing Conte’ narrative.
If he hardly or never plays under Conte how can that be the case? I would suggest that it’s the usual pile of old twaddle and part of the “we are ambitious” propaganda. The boy clearly needs a loan or two away.
23 years, one League Cup…
It isn’t a lie though, he does. He played wingback for the U21s yesterday. Watch the compilation of his touches v Arsenal – he pocketed Martinelli defensively and gave them a torrid time going forward.
He literally ticks all the boxes.
If after a season he hasn’t made an impact then we can judge, but it is September.
Conte will never go back to Juve,Owner and him are not on good terms . Most likely Poch or tuchel
If you sign players who aren’t ready they will always need time to prove themselves. This isn’t a problem with the player, it’s not a problem with the coach, the problem is… oh well, never mind. I’ll get accused of being ‘negative’! 😂
‘He ticks all the boxes as a wingback’. One who’s not going to play? 😂
He needs minutes.. Same as Winky and Sarr.. The young guns need loaning if they’re not going to play.
I have a good feeling about him it may take a bit of time to convince Tonio and for Tonio to slap down Djed’s attitude a bit but I think he will be really good for Spurs (and no it is nothing to do with Emerson).
Antonio goes nowhere , Harry goes nowhere , Spence has to go somewhere – lets hope its back to Forest ……………………
The doomsday scenario of Conte leaving for Juventus just as Southgate leaves the England post is coming to pass.
Gareth will love Spence. Oh dear.
Not necessarily! Could be out of all domestic cups by then! In which there’s only prem and CL (provided we stay in that or drop to UEFA League), either way can’t see Conte playing him if he ain’t considered for even bench now.
I don’t expect we’ll see him till next season when Udogie arrives on opposite side.
Djed Spence WILL be playing (lots more games/minutes) in the 2nd half of the season after the World Cup.
What positive has he put on this?
Gold puts a positive spin on something negative at Spurs, yet again…