Journalist Oli Gamp has argued that Antonio Conte knows more than Tottenham Hotspur fans who may want summer signing Djed Spence to be handed more starts.
According to the Italian manager himself, Spence was apparently a ‘club’ signing over the summer rather than someone Conte wished to have at the club, while the youngster has been handed zero starts in the league.
The former Nottingham Forest defender has also seen himself miss out on several matchday squads under Conte, which will likely frustrate him knowing that his growth has now been halted due to his severe lack of minutes.
Speaking on the Spurs Chat podcast about why Spence isn’t getting more game time, Gamp jumped to the defence of Conte.
He said: “Conte doesn’t rate him, and he didn’t want him, and Spurs forced it on him.
“The guy watches him in training every week and he’s still third-choice, and Conte has been around the block and I think he knows something we don’t.
“I’m sure Spence is great, I’m sure he’s got great potential, but I kind of trust Conte if he doesn’t think Spence is good enough. He sees it every week and I think he knows best, but then again, we all think that Emerson shouldn’t be playing and he’s playing.”
Should Spence be starting for Spurs?
Yes!
No!
TIF Thoughts on Spence…
It took a prolonged period of time over the summer for Spurs to finally land Spence, who enjoyed a great season in the Championship last season with Nottingham Forest before returning to then-parent club Middlesbrough.
While making the step up into the Premier League will have likely been a dream for him, Spence would have perhaps hoped to have been afforded more than four minutes thus far, but it probably does suggest that he’s nowhere near ready for Spurs and Conte.
The Italian made no mistake in hiding the fact it was not his idea to sign Spence or instigate bringing him in and that it was a club decision – likely because of his age and potential sell-on value – so Conte could well just be making a point to the board.