Credit: Imago

James Barker

Mon 25 May 2026 8:10, UK

Djed Spence has vowed that Tottenham Hotspur “will be back stronger” next season, but the defender may have work to do when it comes to convincing Roberto De Zerbi.

The 25-year-old will now enjoy a slight break before heading to this summer’s World Cup, after being named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

Spence cuts a divisive figure among Tottenham fans, with his hot and cold performances making him a very tough player to judge for many.

Contracted in N17 until the summer of 2029, it remains to be seen whether the versatile defender is a player that features prominently in De Zerbi’s vision for the future of his Tottenham team.

The Italian did start Spence in the final day win over Everton, and the Englishman played his part in helping the Lilywhites survive in the Premier League by the skin of their teeth.

What did Djed Spence say after Tottenham win vs Everton?

Sunday was a day that no Tottenham fan will ever forget, as it was one filled with final day nerves and tension like few others in their history.

It would ultimately end with joy and a huge sense of relief, as Joao Palhinha’s 43rd-minute goal was all Spurs needed to beat Everton 1-0, rendering West Ham’s victory over Leeds pointless.

Among a host of Tottenham players taking to social media after their top-flight status was secured was Spence, who penned an emotional message to the Lilywhites faithful.

In it, he recognised that this was the type of situation that Spurs should never have been dragged into, but pledged that the team would be a different animal moving forward.

“IT’S BEEN A TOUGH SEASON, A FOOTBALL CLUB OF THIS STATURE SHOULD NOT BE IN THE POSITION WE WAS IN THIS YEAR,” Spence wrote in block capitals, clearly expressing his emotions when writing the post.

“BUT YOU GUYS STUCK WITH US THROUGH THICK & THIN. WE WILL BE BACK STRONGER NEXT SEASON!! N17 BELIEVE!!”

Belief is certainly the feeling that many Tottenham supporters will have with De Zerbi at the helm, but did Spence do enough this past season to suggest he will be a continued part of Spurs’ side next term?

How strong were Spence’s underlying stats in 2025-26?

Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Spence, leaving his long-term Tottenham Hotspur Stadium future in some doubt.

De Zerbi is sure to be backed in the transfer market this summer, and he will likely look to the defence and their 57 goals conceded at an average of 1.5 per game as the first place to start when it comes to bringing in reinforcements.

Spence endured a real mixed bag of performances in 2025-26, and that is reflected in his underlying numbers, leaving Tottenham decision-makers with a tough call to make on the England international this summer.

As per FotMob, Spence ranked in the top 8.3 percentile of Premier League left-backs this past season for successful dribbles per 90, with 1.44.

He also placed in the top 15.5 percentile for recoveries per game with 4.86, the top 14.3 per cent for possessions won in the final third per 90 at 0.44 and the top 16.7 percentile for shots on target per match with 0.35 respectively.

On the flip side, however, Spence placed in the bottom 20.2 percentile of his top-flight positional peers for duels won with 47.6 per cent.

He also ranked in the lower 17.9 percentile for defensive contributions per 90 with 5.12, the bottom 15.5 per cent for chances created per game at 0.44 and the lower 36.9 percentile for aerial duels won at 46.9 per cent respectively.

Overall, Spence is a difficult player to trust, and so whilst he’s an England international going to the World Cup, De Zerbi may have a hard time feeling confident moving forward with him in his starting XI as he looks to get Spurs back competing at the top of the Premier League.