Lilywhite Rose’s John Wenham believes that Djed Spence will be used more frequently at Tottenham Hotspur.
No player has played fewer minutes (3) at Spurs than Spence so far this season so far in the Premier League (WhoScored).
The right wing-back signed for £20m in the summer from Middlesborough but has been restricted to three short cameos at the club.
However, having come on in back-to-back games against Everton and Manchester United, albeit for seconds, Wenham feels it is a sign that Antonio Conte is beginning to warm to the 22-year-old.
He told Football Insider:
“It was only a minute but I was really pleased that Spence came on again.
“He is now slowly getting more and more involved under Conte which tells me he is starting to play the way Conte wants him to play in training.
“Hopefully he stays fit and can get 90 minutes in the tank against Nottingham Forest in the cup but I think this was a sign.
“Conte doesn’t do things for the sake of it. With Emerson Royal out injured and questions over his future you wonder if that was a sign from Conte telling Spence that he will get a proper chance at some point.
TIF Thoughts on Spence and Spurs…
Should Conte start Spence soon?
Yes
No
Emerson Royal has been preferred by the Italian manager at right wing-back, with Matt Doherty, another option, coming in to start each of the last three games with Royal serving suspension.
Spence though has had to be patient after an impressive campaign with Nottingham Forest last season that saw the club end a 23-year Premier League hiatus.
The England U21 international finished with two goals and five assists in the Championship while also being praised by Arsenal great Ian Wright for his ‘swashbuckling’ performance in the defeat of the Gunners in the FA Cup.
However, with Conte previously admitting that Spence was not his signing it was always going to take time for the youngster to settle in but he now appears to be heading in the right direction.
However, it will be interesting to see what opportunities he receives with Royal due back from suspension.