Former Spurs and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has claimed that there’s “no chance” of Djed Spence getting into the Tottenham Hotspur side under Antonio Conte.
Spence arrived in the summer for £20m after impressing on loan in the Championship last year.
The 22-year-old has featured just three times in the league this season under Conte, with all his appearances coming as last-minute substitutes after the die had been cast on those matches.
Spence has been a part of Spurs’ training camp during the World Cup where he’s been able to showcase his talents to Conte alongside fellow right-backs Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal, with none of the three going to Qatar.
It was seen as the perfect chance to force himself into the Italian’s plans, but Sky Sports pundit Robinson has recently told Football Insider that there’s “no chance” the Englishman will receive a run of games over the second half of the season.
He said: “I think it is quite clear that the manager doesn’t fancy him. Why else would he have barely played him during the first half of the season?
“I don’t think he was the manager’s signing and that begs the question as to why he was bought in the first place.
“I think the right wing-back position is an area they will look to strengthen in next year. I cannot see Spence being given a good run of games when the season resumes.”
TIF Thoughts on Robinson’s comments…
There’s no doubt that Spence is bottom of the right-back pile under the Italian, which is even more damaging when you consider Conte previously said: “I am not stupid. I don’t want to lose,” when talking about Doherty not being selected.
Spence showed his best last season as his three goals and five assists from right-back helped Nottingham Forest gain promotion to the Premier League, leading to a number of clubs queueing up for his services.
However, what looked a straightforward deal was delayed and the 22-year-old missed virtually all of the Lilywhites’ pre-season trip to South Korea, meaning he was unable to significantly impress Conte before the start of the new season.
If he is to be a success under Conte, he surely would’ve had to do all he can in the month-long domestic break that should have served as the pre-season he never had.