It is ‘inevitable’ that Tottenham Hotspur right-back Djed Spence will leave the club this month, according to former Spurs goalkeeper turned Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson.
Spence has found it difficult to settle into life at Tottenham since arriving from Middlesbrough in the summer in a deal which could rise to £20m. He is yet to start a match in the Premier League and has appeared for just 41 minutes across all competitions in the current campaign.
With Spurs said to be targeting the likes of Pedro Porro and Ivan Fresneda, they may need to part with one of their current options at right-back, and Robinson has now claimed that the 22-year-old could be set to leave.
Speaking to Football Insider about Spence’s future in N17, Robinson said: “It’s just not worked for whatever reason. I’m sure there is more to come out in the wash as to why it has not worked.
“He has not been given a proper opportunity by the manager. Perhaps that was an issue between him and Conte. The move has not worked for club or player.
“I expected him to start in the FA Cup at the weekend but Emerson Royal started instead.
“I cannot see how it is going to be resolved. It is not right. A move is inevitable now because it sounds like the manager is going to sign a right wing-back this month. It seems logical that he would move on.”
TIF thoughts on Spence leaving Tottenham…
Lauded as ‘brilliant‘ by talkSPORT’s Phil Spencer, there was every indication that Spence would be a success at Spurs due to his performances for Nottingham Forest last season, but the move has not worked out.
On paper, the ex-Forest defender seems like an ideal player for Antonio Conte’s system, averaging 0.20 assists per 90 over the past year. That ranks him in the 93rd percentile compared to other right-backs in Europe’s major leagues and shows his attacking aptitude, which is vital in a three-at-the-back system.
However, Porro has averaged nearly double that tally in the same timeframe, while he has also weighed in with more tackles and shot-creating actions per 90 than the English defender, so Spurs should perhaps look to ship Spence out in order to make room in the squad for a superior right wing-back in the Spaniard.