Djed Spence gives honest Tottenham career verdict amid Ange Postecoglou and Destiny Udogie claim

Djed Spence's Tottenham career is firmly back on track amid plenty of question marks heading into the 2024/25 season. Always set to be a key summer at Tottenham with incomings and outgoings on the agenda as part of a squad reshuffle for Ange Postecoglou, the versatile full-back appeared to be one of those who could be heading for the exit door.

If that was indeed the case, Spence would have departed having only made six senior appearances for the Lilywhites following his move from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2022. Amid so much hope heading into 2022/23 that the ex-Fulham youngster could play an integral role in Antonio Conte's system due to his qualities at wing-back, Spence just never got a look-in.

Looking like things would just never work out for him at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spence wanted to demonstrate to everyone in the summer why he could still play a major part for Tottenham going forward. He did exactly that and now things are on the up for him after recently penning a new contract in north London.

"It was a good pre-season, I felt good and I felt sharp. I wanted to come back [from Italy] and just be the best I could be, the best version of myself. That's all you can do, put in your best effort and try to be the best player on the pitch," he said in an interview with Tottenham's official matchday programme.

"I'm a determined player. I'd probably say I had a point to prove here and also a point to prove to myself. I wanted to show everyone what I know I'm capable of and how good a player l am. I had the same mentality going into this one, I knew what I needed to do to try to give my best and keep moving forward."

Spence's Tottenham career has been far from straightforward. Signed from Middlesbrough after playing an integral role on loan in Nottingham Forest's Premier League return in 2022, Spence never got a chance under Conte and subsequently departed on a temporary basis at the turn of the year as he joined French side Rennes on loan.

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Two further loan spells came Spence's way last season as he started the term with Leeds United and finished it with Genoa in Italy. Having spent the previous 18 months out on loan before his summer return to Hotspur Way, the full-back's Tottenham future looked bleak to say the least and a move away appeared very likely.

However, Spence put in the hard work on the training pitch to leave Postecoglou with no option but to include him in his 2024/25 season plans. Working under the Australian is different to what the former England Under-21 international is used to but it has only helped his game due to Postecoglou's football philosophy.

"It hasn't been easy," he said on his Tottenham career to date. "But you learn from everything. Whether that's being abroad, being away from your family or the change of culture - whatever you may face - you learn from them all so it's made me stronger mentally and they've all been great life experiences.

"I've also had a few injuries that have set me back so you just have to be strong mentally, stay focused, train hard, be around good people and there is always a way back to greatness and to be the player you know you can become.

"It's been a difficult couple of years for me personally, but I think this year will be a good one for me. The manager has been great. He has his way of playing and we've bought into it - it's been relentless in a good way!

"We play great football and that comes down to hard work in training as we play how we train. No matter what the style of play, as a player you always have to learn and adapt so you have to put your mind to it, buy into it and then we can go to great places.

"It's different from what I've been used to. I'm always willing to learn and I'm a good learner as well. It requires certain abilities and I believe I have those, so it's just a new position to add to the toolbox and it's good for me.

"You pick up good positions, one minute you're left-back, next you're in midfield and then in the 10 position, so it's a good role to try to master and I think it's a good role for me personally in terms of my development as a player."

Spence had to watch on from the stands on Wednesday evening as Tottenham defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The game against the reigning Premier League champions would not have been possible if Spence had not contributed with a late equaliser in the previous round away at Coventry City.

Coming on at left-back in that game in place of Destiny Udogie, Spence has struck up a firm friendship with the Italian and they both help each other improve their game.

"First goal for the club and first of many, I hope! It was a good feeling, especially to help the team get through to the next round, and hopefully I can experience many more moments like that with the team," said Spence. "I'm always happy to help the team win. And, on a personal note, I want to play well for myself as well so I have to keep working and training hard and try to keep putting in good performances when I'm called upon this season.

"l always speak to Destiny and we chat a lot outside of training. When I've played, he's giving me feedback and coaching me with certain things I could've done better with and certain things I've done well. And I do the same with him.

"It's different when you're not playing and you're watching them play your position, you can spot certain things that he might not have noticed live at the time so we help each other out, we talk, we always have our little competition but we have a really good relationship."

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