Djed Spence has told Tottenham Hotspur’s website that his first impressions of manager Antonio Conte are that he is a “top manager” with a “winning mentality”. Spence has just been confirmed as his club’s sixth summer signing.
The 21-year-old joins the club on a five-year deal until June 2027, costing Spurs an initial £12.5million. A further £6.5million will be paid in performance-related add-ons, according to the Evening Standard.
Spence joins as the club’s sixth summer signing – after Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and Clement Lenglet. He will now take on Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal for a place in the side as a right wing-back.
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Speaking to Tottenham’s website following his signing, Spence spoke of his first impressions of Conte. He believes the Italian is a “top manager” and is excited at the prospect of working with the ex-Chelsea boss.
“I’m excited to hit the ground running, hopefully play and try to impress. We have a great manager too – from what I’ve seen of him, he’s a top manager and I can’t wait to work under him. [He has] a winning mentality,” Spence said.
Spence: First impressions of Tottenham manager Conte
Conte is renowned for preferring to play more-experienced players. It might be that the likes of Emerson or Doherty are preferred initially to Spence. However, Conte did throw Dejan Kulusevski in at the deep end.
If Spence can get some game time in the next couple of weeks, with friendlies against Rangers and Jose Mourinho’s Roma, then he has the chance to impress. If he does impress, he might show Conte why he should be first choice.
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