Djed Spence continues to be ignored by Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou despite injury problems
Tottenham Hotspur full-back Djed Spence continues to endure a frustrating time in North London.
The Lilywhites beat a host of clubs to the Englishman’s signature, acquiring his services from Middlesbrough in a £20 million deal in 2022. However, his career at White Hart Lane has never really got going. The 24-year-old spent the last 18 months out on loan at clubs such as Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa before returning to his parent club in the summer.
Having impressed Ange Postecoglou and his staff during the pre-season tour of Asia earlier this year, Djed Spence was retained after the club decided to sell Emerson Royal to AC Milan. While he was viewed as a backup to first-choice right-back Pedro Porro, Postecoglou has used Archie Gray in cup competitions ahead of Spence.
-> Ange Postecoglou sends message to Djed Spence after Europa League snub
As a result, the right-back hasn’t quite got the game time he’d have hoped for. He has made only five appearances across all competitions, clocking 109 minutes in the process. Now, Tottenham are bracing for January enquiries for the former England youth international as interested parties have been alerted over his situation at the club.
Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King has speculated that Spence could return to Nottingham Forest on loan in January. While Spurs are yet to decide on the player’s immediate future, the club insider believes Nottingham Forest might be one of the clubs keeping tabs.
“When everybody is fit, Spence has no chance of playing,” Bryan King exclusively told Tottenham News.
“I would think that Spence is a player who could be moving on from the club because he isn’t getting regular football. You don’t want an unhappy face around the football club.
“Spence will want regular football, and it doesn’t look like he will get that at Tottenham. Even with all the recent injuries, he still isn’t playing. This is a player who made a name for himself at Nottingham Forest, that could certainly be a potential move.
“There are some ties between Nottingham Forest and Spurs.”
Indeed, even with all the injuries at the back, Big Ange continues to overlook Spence. He wasn’t included in the Europa League squad—a decision which may come to bite Spurs owing to a defensive injury crisis at the moment.
Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie are due for a breather having played rigorously this season. However, Big Ange appears to be in no mood to give the duo rest and hand fringe players such as Spence game time in the Europa League. Thus, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Spence leave Spurs in January.
-> Tottenham bracing for January enquiries for defensive star
The flying full-back played the best football of his career at Forest in the Championship during the 2021/22 season. On loan from Middlesbrough then, Spence made 39 appearances in the Championship as the Tricky Trees earned top-flight promotion. Keeping that in mind, a dream return to the City Ground on loan could be on the cards.
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However, with full-backs Ola Aina, Neco Williams, Alex Moreno and Harry Toffolo already at the disposal of boss Nuno Espirito Santo, we don’t think Spence would be keen to join Forest on loan should he decide to leave Spurs next month.
