Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to loan 23-year-old Djed Spence out yet again after Leeds United activated his recall clause to end his current loan spell prematurely. This is according to popular Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
It must be difficult being Djed Spence. Prior to his move to Tottenham Hotspur last summer, he was highly touted as one of the biggest English talents coming through the ranks. However, he fell into the trap of a transfer that was destined to fail from the very beginning.
Antonio Conte did not want him. The Italian manager never had any intention of making Spence play in his team. Despite this, Daniel Levy pulled the trigger and went through with the transfer. The result? – he hardly saw any game time prior to last January.
In what could end up being quite a familiar pattern during his Spurs career, Spence embarked on his first loan spell to French side Rennes. It was a move that neither benefitted the player nor the French club. He came to North London in the summer.
This time, things were different though. Ange Postecoglou had been appointed the manager of Tottenham. He wanted to play an attacking brand of football. Emerson Royal’s future at the club was far from certain. The stars seemed to be aligned for Spence to play a starring role in the current campaign. Except, it never happened.
Postecoglou did not fancy what he saw from the 23-year-old and decided to loan him out, yet again. Leeds United who had just dropped to the Championship and were keen on a swift return to the top flight came calling for Spence’s services. Spurs obliged. Six months later, he is back in North London again.
How did Spence perform at Leeds United?
Quite obviously, not great. Had he performed well, the Whites would not be cancelling the loan deal midseason, especially when they positioned high up the Championship table. Clearly, Daniel Farke is not impressed.
Spence has made a paltry seven appearances for the impressive Leeds United, failing to register a single goal or assist. He has played just 390 minutes of football. Granted he missed 10 games due to an outer ligament problem but these numbers are very poor (Transfermarkt).
Clearly, Farke did not see enough to keep Spence in his squad for another six months. Compare this with yet another Tottenham loanee at Leeds, Joe Rodon who has set the stage alight. He is one of the first names on the teamsheet. If Leeds were to get promoted back to the Premier League, there is no doubt they’ll try to make his loan deal permanent then.
So, what next, for Djed Spence?
Clearly, another loan move. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Tottenham will not keep him for the reminder of the season and will look to send him out for minutes. Maybe another Championship club comes calling?
Spence’s career at the moment seems to be going nowhere. He doesn’t seem to have a future here, unless he can impress on a loan spell and show Postecoglou what he is capable of. Much of it has to do with the attitude of the player.
The 23-year-old’s talent is obvious. It’s the same talent that made Spurs pay £20m for his services last summer. Unless the right-back is serious about his game though, he might be going nowhere. Let’s hope Spence learns from his mistakes and has a better loan spell elsewhere. For that though, Spurs need offers and let’s see who is ready to take a chance on him.
