Paul Merson has expressed his shock in The Daily Star at comments from Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte on Djed Spence.
The former Arsenal star cannot believe that Conte has publicly said that he did not plan on signing Spence for Tottenham in the summer transfer window.
The former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss said this week that it was Tottenham who signed the 21-year-old, who can operate as a right-back, right wing-back or right winger.
As reported by The Guardian this week, Tottenham paid Middlesbrough an initial transfer fee of £12.5 million to secure the services of Spence.
Paul Merson on Antonio Conte comments on Tottenham’s Djed Spence
Merson wrote in The Daily Star: “Antonio Conte admitting that Djed Spence wasn’t his signing is a slap in the face for Tottenham’s latest buy. It’s terrible when you know the manager didn’t really want you.”
The Sky Sports pundit added: “Daniel Levy isn’t picking the team at Tottenham. Antonio Conte is.
“And buying him a player he didn’t ask for? That doesn’t work for me. I don’t like that one. You’ve got an elite manager there. Why mess it up. Don’t upset an elite manager.”
One for the future
In our view, Tottenham Hotspur have signed Djed Spence from Middlesbrough for the future and not for now.
After all, Spence is only 21 and has not even played in the Premier League.
Tottenham scouts were clearly impressed by the youngster, especially last season, and for £12.5 million, they could have signed a bargain.
If Spence trains well and makes the most of the chances that he gets under Conte, then he could make himself an important figure in the Tottenham first team.
Spence made 41 starts and one substitute appearance in the Championship during his loan spell at Nottingham Forest last season.
The youngster scored two goals and gave four assists in those games.
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