The summer of 2023 is a key one in Djed Spence's young career as he looks to make his mark at Tottenham Hotspur. Signed in a deal from Middlesbrough last July after a terrific campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest, the right wing-back played an extremely bit-part role under Antonio Conte and was given the green light to head to French side Rennes on loan in January.
Initially playing his part in the team before captain Hamari Traore returned from injury, Spence's loan spell ended prematurely after a knee injury saw him return to Tottenham a fortnight ago. Perhaps not the biggest of blows for the player with him missing out on the matchday squad in the previous two games and also with the season drawing to a close, the football and the season doesn't stop just there for the 22-year-old.
On Wednesday afternoon, Spence, along with Tottenham teammate Oliver Skipp, was confirmed as one of 24 England Under-21s players who will take part in a training camp at St. George's Park later next month. Lee Carsley and his staff will work with the group between June 7 and 10 ahead of this summer's UEFA Under-21s European Championships that take place in Romania and Georgia.
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Carsley will then name his final squad for the competition, which takes place between June 21 and July 8, on Wednesday, June 14. The Three Lions will face Czech Republic, Germany and Israel in Group C.
Providing of course that Spence is named in the final squad for the Euros, the competition gives him the perfect opportunity to make his case to the new manager ahead of his return to Hotspur Way for pre-season training. If a new manager is named in the hotseat by then, with Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou now leading the way with the bookies as Arne Slot has penned a new contract with Feyenoord, they will want to keep a close eye on the tournament.
Spence and Skipp may not be the only Tottenham players playing in Romania and Georgia as Destiny Udogie has featured for Italy Under-21s in recent months and Bryan Gil could potentially represent Spain if not part of the senior squad for the UEFA Nations League Finals. Perhaps one downside of playing in the Under-21s European Championships this year for those involved is that they are unlikely to be there for the start of pre-season under the new boss.
They could possibly even miss a good chunk of the summer training if they advance all the way in the competition as they will then have their summer break to follow before getting back down to business at club level. It really is going to be a crucial period for Spence after an extremely frustrating 12 months as he looks to show everyone why he was brought to Tottenham in the first place.
There's no guarantee that Spurs will play with wing-backs next season as the new manager at the helm may decide to change from the 3-4-3 system that Conte always opted for. Spence may instead have to get used to playing as a right-back, with January signing Pedro Porro, who is now extra competition for the England Under-21 international since he left on loan, also in the same boat.
A strong showing in pre-season is a must for the player, with the same going for the upcoming tournament in Romania and Georgia. If Spence can have an impressive Euros and try and finish his season on a positive note, it could potentially bode well for him going into 2023/24, especially if Tottenham's new head coach is watching on.
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