Tottenham Hotspur loanee Died Spence was taken off at half-time on Sunday as Genoa beat Lecce 2-1 in Serie A.
This is a crucial loan spell for Djed Spence as he looks to get his career back on track.
After dazzling on loan at Nottingham Forest in the 2021-22 season, Spence joined Tottenham Hotspur from Middlesbrough and was hoping to become a Premier League star.
Spence barely featured under Antonio Conte though and spent the second half of last season on loan at Rennes in France.
Ange Postecoglou decided to send Spence out on loan again, but he didn’t really shine at Leeds United and has now been sent to Genoa for a third spell away from Spurs…
Tottenham Hotspur loanee Djed Spence substituted at half-time in Genoa win
Spence has joined Genoa as Tottenham included him as a sweetener in their deal to sign centre back Radu Dragusin earlier this month.
After starting in a debut win over Salernitana last week, Spence’s fortunes took something of a turn this week.
Spence was substituted at half-time as Genoa were 1-0 down at home to Lecce on Sunday afternoon.
Genoa launched a comeback after the break and ended up winning 2-1 with Spence replaced by ex-Leeds striker Caleb Ekuban, who set up Genoa’s winner.
Spence will, of course, be disappointed to have been taken off at half-time but his manager doesn’t seem to disappointed in him.
Genoa boss Alberto Gilardino has told Tuttomercatoweb that Spence wasn’t substituted because he was playing poorly.
Gilardino just wanted to try something different by going with an attacker in Ekuban but praised Spence for his attacking and dribbling abilities, believing that he can make a big difference with some patience.
“Both Spence and Thorsby were not changed because they were working badly but it was my desire to change tactically,” said Gilardino. “He has great dribbling quality and when he has the chance to attack a space he must do it with vehemence and speed. It takes patience and calm with this player who has great qualities. Thorsby is a great professional, they weren’t doing badly but it was a tactical change,” he added.
Spence will be hoping to put this game behind him and move forward quickly, with Genoa taking on Empoli next weekend.
Tottenham will be keeping close tabs on his progress but it’s hard to imagine that his performances in Italy will change Postecoglou’s mind; this spell is now either to land a permanent move to Genoa or put Spence in the shop window.
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