Tottenham journalist reveals Djed Spence theory after what he spotted vs Wolves
Djed Spence has turned his career around over the last year and has grown to become a key cog in the Tottenham machine.
The full-back was signed in from Middlesbrough in 2022, while Antonio Conte was in charge, who labelled Spence as a “club signing”, with Spence hinting Conte being his biggst hurdle at Tottenham.
Loans away at Leeds, Rennes, and Genoa followed suit as it became increasingly apparent the Englishman didn’t have a place at Tottenham.
Last season, though, Spence took enormous strides forward under Ange Postecoglou, seemingly coming out of nowhere to feature on either side of the back four and impressing.
Now, under Thomas Frank, he has continued his fine form, and Spence has been labelled undroppable.
Spence’s best position yet to be decided
The 25-year-old really made his name as a right back in the Championship, marauding down the flank on loan at Nottingham Forest, as they secured promotion to the Premier League in 2022.
Three years later, having featured on the left while Destiny Udogie was injured, Spence has received an England call-up, but his true best position is still up for debate.
After Tottenham drew 1-1 with Wolves in their most recent fixture, where Spence featured at right back, questions around his place in the side are being asked.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Alasdair Gold said this on the subject: “I thought Djed Spence probably keeps the theory that I’ve got going that he is better on the left than the right in this team.
“I just feel like his delivery isn’t good enough into the box, his crossing isn’t good enough, and he is still a relatively young full back, so he can work on it.
“I feel like that’s why the left suits him, he can cut inside and play low balls across the box, whereas from the right he is trying to whip those balls into the box and he’s not particularly great at it.”
| Left vs Villareal | Right vs Wolves | |
| Touches | 53 | 49 |
| Crosses (successful) | 2 (1) | 1 (1) |
| Long balls (successful) | 3 (1) | 4 (1) |
| Key passes | 1 | 1 |
Spence was replaced by Pedro Porro on Saturday evening in the 63rd minute, with Spurs chasing the game.
Spurs’ triple threat at full-back positions
The versatility of Spence should be seen as a positive, as he is providing adequate competition to both Udogie and Porro.
Tottenham have quietly built one of the best full-back rosters in the league.
Porro has come on leaps and bounds since his January move in 2023, while Udogie continues to impress despite battling injury concerns.
Spence’s career trajectory has well and truly been flipped on its head, and finding a consistent home in the side may help continue that rise.
However, in a World Cup year, if Thomas Tuchel can take one player to cover two positions in a limited-spaced squad, Spence is well placed to be on the plane.
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