What Neil Warnock once told Tottenham star Djed Spence in behind-the-scenes conversation
Djed Spence is enjoying the best time of his career under Thomas Frank at Tottenham.
Spence recently signed a new contract with Spurs, which will keep him in North London until 2029.
However, it has not always been easy for the defender, as Neil Warnock offered some stern words to Spence in his early career.
Now, Warnock has opened up about what he told the left-back while he was his manager.
Neil Warnock opens up on conversation with Djed Spence
Spence has often been slated during his time at Tottenham, and that has been the case throughout his career.
However, he has emerged as a regular in Frank’s starting XI and has even received his first England call-up.
Given how he performed at Middlesbrough and the criticism aimed his way by Warnock, that may surprise those who watched him at the Riverside Stadium.
- Spence made 70 appearances for Boro
- He has been loaned out three times since signing for Spurs
- The defender made 25 Premier League appearances last term
However, now Warnock has spoken publicly on talkSPORT for the first time since his call-up from Thomas Tuchel on 4 August.
He said: “I never doubted him on the field; it was off the field.”
Alan Brazil replied: “In what way, Neil? What do you mean off the field?
Warnock: “It’s not right to go into everything, but his attitude wasn’t right for me. Certain things happened off the field which I didn’t enjoy, and I spoke to him about it a couple of times, but I don’t think he was for changing then.
“He probably just thought I was barking up the tree and what have you, but you can’t say that Conte, Daniel Farke, and myself were all wrong.
“I mean, I said to him, he’s got to look in the mirror, go home and look in the mirror because he can’t carry on doing things that he did off the field. He’s got to concentrate on the field at what he’s good at, and he went to Forest and did well.”
Read more: Djed Spence sends hilarious message to Mohammed Kudus after what happened in Tottenham training
How far can Djed Spence go under Thomas Frank at Tottenham?
While it is early days into Frank’s tenure as manager, he is clearly a fan of Spence.
The left-back has played every single minute of Tottenham’s Premier League campaign so far, and also played 90 minutes in the UEFA Super Cup.
Of course, with Destiny Udogie out injured, Frank has little choice but to play the England international in his backline.
Indeed, Frank has praised his resilience, work ethic, and the rapid progress he has made during his tenure.
The Champions League will be a sure test of his ability, but under such a good man-manager in Frank, he has the ability to go to the very top.
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