David Prutton says Djed Spence needs to leave Tottenham Hotspur on transfer deadline day, with a possible loan to the French side, Stade Rennais, on the cards.
The former Nottingham Forest midfielder shared how Steve Cooper’s side were ‘gutted’ they didn’t sign Spence in the summer, after the Middlesbrough loanee helped the Midlands outfit secure promotion to the Premier League.
Instead, it was Spurs who paid Boro £20 million for the right-back (Sky Sports) on a five-year contract, yet there were issues from the off.
Antonio Conte made it clear that Spence was a ‘club signing’ and that’s been proven by the number of minutes he has played.
Over the course of the season, in all competitions, he hasn’t even racked up 90 minutes, which has just caused havoc on his progression.
That’s a big reason why Prutton thinks Spence needs to leave with the deadline looming, as he told Sky Sports News (31/01/23).
“Massively (needs this move),” said Prutton. “He doesn’t strike me as, I think it’s been well-documented, he’s not a Conte signing.
“Djed Spence is a very good footballer. Tremendous down the right-hand side with Brennan Johnson for Nottingham Forest last season. Forest were gutted to have missed out on him.
“He needs to get minutes under his belt. Playing for the U21s at Spurs won’t be doing him any good. Given the wonderful impact he had on Forest last season, he has to get first-team minutes, whether it’s in this country or over in France.”
SPENCE MISTAKE AMID PORRO INCOMING
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Spence needs to leave Tottenham for good down the line, especially with the incoming arrival of Pedro Porro.
Given the form and performances of Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty, there’s no doubt that the England U21 international should have been handed more chances.
But, unless Conte leaves by the time Spence returns from his loan, then he is going to be in the same situation in the summer and heading into next season.
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