All the talk was about one man when the Tottenham team to face Motherwell was confirmed just past midday on Friday afternoon. Unsurprisingly, Djed Spence was on the lips of all Spurs fans as he was handed a rare start by Antonio Conte.
Minutes have not come his way since his summer switch from Middlesbrough, with the head coach only handing him 26 in total across four appearances. Excited by his arrival anyway after such a good loan spell at Nottingham Forest, supporters have made their feelings loud and clear over the 22-year-old in recent months due to the team's right wing-back woes.
Friday's friendly match against Motherwell presented Spence with the perfect opportunity to wow Conte, and that's exactly what he did in his 75 minutes on the pitch. The summer addition looked bright throughout and saw plenty of the ball in a fast start to the game.
READ MORE: Spence and Doherty answer Conte demand, White role - 5 things spotted in Tottenham vs Motherwell
Already one goal to the good through Dejan Kulusevski's close-range finish, Spurs pushed on looking for more and Spence was heavily involved. Making a good early run with his low cross finding Bryan Gil in the area, unfortunately the opportunity petered out with the Spaniard turning away from goal and eventually losing possession on the edge of the area.
Demonstrating some excellent movement, the England Under-21s international also showcased his incredible range of footwork with some brilliant play in the far corner of the pitch with two Motherwell players surrounding him. Not losing the ball despite both breathing down his neck and looking to win it, Spence just couldn't get his cross in but his ability to keep hold of possession was very impressive.
Always a willing runner down the flank and getting into some very good positions, Yves Bissouma linked up regularly with him as he sprayed the ball wide, with Kulusevski doing exactly the same. Spence's link-up play with the Swede immediately stood out and it offered Conte a sign of things to come if the duo are given a chance to forge a good understanding week in, week out.
Kulusevski already has that understanding with Doherty after wowing together towards the end of last season when they started regularly down the wing. The January signing is an extremely intelligent player and quite clearly a dream for the right wing-backs as they know they will receive the ball regularly and combine if they are making the right runs.
Another aspect of Spence's game that was also noticeable was that he was giving Conte what he wants from his wing-backs in terms of attacking the box when the other wing-back has possession. This almost culminated in Spence testing Liam Kelly with a header but he just couldn't divert it goalwards when Doherty sent in an inviting cross.
The other side of the player's game was also clear to see as he helped his team out defensively. Davinson Sanchez had squandered the ball in his own half and it resulted in Matt Penney bursting through on goal, only for the ex-Sheffield Wednesday man to be denied by Spence as he utilised his pace and outmuscled him at a crucial time.
Spence may not have grabbed an assist in the 4-0 win but he did have a hand in the third of the afternoon that Bryan finished off after Kulusevski had put the ball on a plate. The goal all came about from Spence quickly finding Harvey White, who in turn played a superb first-time pass on the turn that set the Swede free.
Spence and Kulusevski were at it again 20 minutes into the second half as they gave Motherwell another big headache with their play. The Scottish side did breathe a huge sigh of relief, however, with no Tottenham player in the middle to meet the wing-back's perfect delivery that was crying out for someone to convert.
Spence wouldn't be on the pitch for much longer as he was one of nine players to make way with 15 minutes to go as Conte made wholesale changes. The minutes may not have been there for him over the course of the season so far but he showed his boss what he can offer if given the chance in the second part of the campaign.
Friday's 4-0 triumph did highlight signs of a potential partnership between Kulusevski and Spence but that relationship between the two will only flourish and develop further if the minutes are there for the right wing-back. The calls for Spence to start for Tottenham will have increased as a result of his showing against Motherwell.
READ NEXT:
Tottenham player ratings vs Motherwell: Doherty double, Kulusevski great as Spence and Gil shine
The reason why Emerson, Sessegnon, Lucas, Lenglet and Forster missed Tottenham's friendly
Tottenham vs Motherwell first half ratings: Kulusevski, Doherty and Gil score as Spence shines
Daniel Levy and Tottenham handed January transfer windfall after FIFA World Cup decision
Ben Davies injury update after painful World Cup problem leaves Tottenham return in doubt
