Dean Jones has intimated that Antonio Conte had nothing to do with Tottenham Hotspur’s acquisition of Djed Spence during the summer transfer window.
Following a lot of speculation, Spurs signed the Middlesbrough defender for a hefty £19 million [ESPN].
However, Spence has played precisely one minute of football from Tottenham’s eight outings across all competitions this season.
This has prompted questions as to why the player was signed if Conte had no intention of using him this season.
And the journalist has told Give Me Sport that the Italian manager wasn’t behind Spence’s addition, claiming it was more of a club signing and that he simply ‘isn’t an important’ ingredient in Conte’s eyes.
He said: “I think it’s worth remembering that Djed Spence is more of a club signing than a Conte signing.
“He’s just not an important figure for Conte in terms of how he looks at the starting XI. He’s got other priorities in terms of getting Tottenham established in that top four.”
You wonder if Spence is regretting his decision to join the North Londoners.
Yes, obviously the Lilywhites is a massive club and with Champions League football, and a world-class manager, few could blame the player for being tempted.
However, this is a 22-year-old footballer and one who needs football for his ongoing development, because he isn’t the finished article by any means.
And unfortunately, it doesn’t look like he’ll be getting regular minutes under Conte anytime soon, if Jones is accurate.
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