Djed Spence’s lack of first-team minutes this season is down to him not being “ready” for Premier League football, according to Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte.
Former Nottingham Forest loan star Spence has made just one appearance for Spurs since joining from Middlesbrough in July. Ironically, that came against Forest, with the 22-year-old introduced as an 89th-minute substitute in the 2-0 win in late August.
He failed to make the squad for the subsequent games against Fulham and Leicester but was back on the bench for Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal. Emerson Royal’s sending off led to calls from fans for him to be introduced but despite Conte utilising his full quota of substitutes, Spence remained unused.
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Royal’s forthcoming Premier League suspension leaves a vacancy at right wing-back but with Ivan Perisic and Matt Doherty also vying for the spot, Conte hinted that Spence needs to prove himself to the Italian in training.
"The fans have to be fans," said the Spurs boss. “The fans is the fans, I understand they can think everything but I see every day what happens during the training session.
"I try to do the best for the team. If they trust me, then they trust me, but the choices are mine. If I didn't decide to pick one player it's maybe because he's not ready
"We are talking about a young player with a good prospect, but I repeat I try to pick the best team. Also Doherty last season played every game. Now I’m not seeing him in the right way to start the game.
"I'm not stupid, I don't want to lose. I try to put the best team, to pick the best team. If they trust me it's ok, if they don't trust me then I'm the coach and I need to take the best decision for Tottenham.”
Was Spence's decision to join Tottenham a mistake? Let us know in the comments section.
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