Stewart Downing has told iNews that Djed Spence will not find it easy if he went to Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur from Middlesbrough in the summer transfer window.
The London Evening Standard have reported that Tottenham and Middlesbrough are continuing talks over a move for Spence, who can operate as a right-back, right wing-back or right-winger.
The report has claimed that Tottenham could have to pay as much as £20 million for the 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest and helped them win promotion to the Premier League.
Former Liverpool star Downing played with Spence at Boro, and he has said that the youngster will have to step up his game if he moves to Tottenham this summer.
Stewart Downing on Tottenham Hotspur target Djed Spence
Downing told iNews about Spence: “I think it will be a big test for him. Forest had a lot of the ball and their system suited him.
“In the Premier League you might spend large periods without the ball so he’s going to get tested defensively.
“I think the system that Conte plays will help him defensively and he will bring his game on.
“It’s alright going forward and getting goals and assists but first and foremost his job is to defend and Conte is probably the best manager for him in terms of that side. He just needs a manager to guide him and keep him on his toes.”
Stepping up
In our opinion, Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence will have to step up his game if he moved to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window.
Tottenham are at a different level to Middlesbrough and Forest, and the Premier League is much tougher than the Championship.
However, if Antonio Conte wants the youngster, then he will have surely seen something special in him and will know how to make him better and suitable for the Premier League.
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