Tottenham: Djed Spence lauded by Antonio Conte for ‘desire’ to raise game as boss stresses need for ‘patience’

Marc Mayo27 August 2022

Antonio Conte has praised Djed Spence’s “desire” to meet the standards set by the Tottenham coach.

Spurs paid an initial £12.5million to sign the wing-back this summer and the move raised eyebrows after Conte asserted that he was not behind the club’s interest.

Nonetheless, the manager has praised Spence’s willingness to improve since arriving at the club as he stressed the need for patience with the 22-year-old who is still yet to play in the Premier League or make his Tottenham debut.

“I was very clear at the start when I said this signing is a really good prospect,” Conte said. “He's a young player and the club wanted to invest in this player.

“The difference is clear. To play in the Championship with Nottingham Forest and then with Tottenham, he needs time to adapt himself in many aspects, in the physical aspect and the tactical aspect because now he is working with another coach.

“I'm seeing a lot of desire, a lot of will from this player to try to reduce this gap and to be ready.

“With a young player, it's important to have patience, to work and then to improve. I'm sure Djed for the future will be an important player for Tottenham.”

Spurs travel to Spence’s old club, Forest, on Sunday with Spence not expected to be involved having so far only made the bench on the opening weekend.

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