Tottenham: Djed Spence development ‘shame’ after Leeds United exit as career now hangs in balance – BBC Sport pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Djed Spence’s early return to Tottenham is a “shame” as the defender’s career since he signed for the club has not matched up to “huge expectations”, says Paul Robinson.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke decided to end the right-back’s season-long loan at Elland Road early, amid suggestions there were concerns over his commitment [talkSPORT, 5 January].
It is the latest negative development since his move worth up to £20million from Middlesbrough two summers’ ago [Guardian], which came after what BBC Sport pundit Robinson called a “fantastic” loan season with Nottingham Forest.
The ex-England keeper remains baffled about how he arrived at Spurs given he has never been used, with just six appearances for the club in the time since, and only 17 combined in two half-season loans to Rennes and Leeds.
Spence’s time back in the Championship was badly disrupted by an injury that knocked him out long-term after his debut, but Robinson has warned the 23-year-old he has to be “very wise” about his next move with little space for him under Ange Postecoglou.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News he said: “He’s gone back to Tottenham and it’s a shame for the player because he went to Tottenham with huge expectations.
“The season before he went there he was fantastic, hence the reason that the move came about.
“I’m not sure who brought him in at Tottenham because the manager at the time clearly didn’t want to use him and he didn’t get any game time.
“He went to Leeds and it didn’t work, so he’s at a real turning point in his career now.
“He’s got to be very wise as to where he chooses next to go because he’s not going to play in that Tottenham team.
“If he wants to play football he needs to find a place between now and the end of the season where he can play regularly and start to get his career back on track.”
In other Tottenham news, Gabby Agbonlahor ridiculed one Spurs player after what he did to leave Ian Wright baffled.