When Lyanco first began filling in at right-back for Southampton, the expectation was that this would be little more than a short-term quick fix.
But, while Lyanco is still likely to revert back to his more central role once Tino Livramento is available again, the Brazilian has certainly proven to Nathan Jones that he can be relied upon not only to survive but to thrive on the flank.
Lyanco was outstanding in the 2-0 EFL Cup victory over Manchester City; setting up Sekou Mara’s stunning finish with his first assist since the 2018/19 season back home in Brazil. He excelled against Crystal Palace too.
As such, reports suggesting that the former Torino colossus could be returning to South America have dissipated; his agent claiming that the Saints have blocked a January departure.
“We think he’s great character,” Saints boss Nathan Jones tells Hampshire Live of the rejuvenated Lyanco, highlighting how he dealt with the threat of Wilfried Zaha during that FA Cup win at Crystal Palace.
“He has real, real character about him. I really like him. He was excellent against Zaha, one of the best in the league.”
Lyanco a man reborn at Southampton
According to Football London, Southampton are one of four Premier League clubs interested in Djed Spence; Tottenham Hotspur expected to send the £19 million forgotten man out on loan during the final week of the transfer window.
Spurs will reject any permanent bids for Spence, and are unlikely to consider including an option-to-buy clause in his loan contract either. As such, the former Nottingham Forest whizzkid would almost certainly be on his way back to North London in May, meaning he has just four months to make an impression out on loan.
A Crystal Palace, then, makes more sense than a Southampton as far as Spence is concerned.
Even if the excellent Tino Livramento does not recover before the end of the season, Jones still has Kyle Walker-Peters and now Lyanco as his alternative right-back options. Spence would face an uphill battle commanding a regular starting spot at St Mary’s.
Crystal Palace or Southampton for Djed Spence?
Patrick Vieira, however, is having to make do with Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne at Crystal Palace; a pair of Premier League veterans with a combined age of 64. The lack of speed and thrust on the right-hand side continues to impede Vieira’s ability to instil a preferred free-flowing approach but Spence – likened to Trent Alexander-Arnold by former Middlesbrough coach Neil Warnock – feels like a full-back tailor-made for the Frenchman’s ideal system.
Crystal Palace have struggled for creativity and cutting edge this season. Despite operating on a limited budget, the Eagles are making an effort to change that before the February deadline; showing an interest in Arnaut Danjuma before his move to Tottenham, targeting Stuttgart ball-carrier Naouirou Ahamada while joining Southampton, Leicester City and Brentford in pursuit of Djed Spence.
Spence would, in theory, find first-team football far easier to come by at Palace than at Tottenham or Southampton.
Furthermore, Palace already have a handful of talented, up-and-coming, London-born talent at their disposal, and the England U21 international could strike up an immediate understanding with Michael Olise and Ebere Eze.
After playing just three minutes of Premier League football in the first half of the season, Spence cannot really afford to choose the wrong short-term destination if he is to have a future at Spurs. Particularly with Pedro Porro on his way from Sporting Lisbon.
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