Tottenham Hotspur full-back Djed Spence has shared his struggles at the club, detailing the challenges he faced under former manager Antonio Conte and later under Ange Postecoglou. The young defender expected different treatment upon joining the Premier League side but soon realized he was not given a fair chance to prove himself.
Initially, Spence was hopeful about his future at Tottenham, believing he would have opportunities to showcase his talent. However, under Conte, he found himself sidelined, with the Italian manager opting to send him on loan rather than integrating him into the squad. The full-back was first sent to French club Rennes before later moving to Leeds United and Serie A side Genoa under Postecoglou’s tenure.
Reflecting on his time at Tottenham, Spence admitted that he expected a fresh start when Postecoglou took over, hoping for a fair assessment from the new coaching staff. However, he believes he never truly received an opportunity to prove himself. “It’s a new manager, and I knew that when a new manager comes in, everyone is going to get a chance,” he said. “But with me, I don’t think that was really the case, to be fair. It’s part of the game football is not fair.”
Spence revealed that he frequently spoke to one of the assistant coaches about his lack of playing time, expressing his desire to contribute to the team. Despite voicing his concerns, nothing changed. He acknowledged the fine line between staying humble and standing up for himself, admitting that speaking out can sometimes be misinterpreted.
“I always had conversations with the assistant coach and told him that I should be playing or at least given a chance,” Spence explained. “It’s difficult because when you say you deserve a chance, people might think you’re being arrogant, but at the same time, you feel you have done enough to be considered.”
One of the main regrets he has about his time at Tottenham is that he initially remained too passive, allowing others to dictate his future at the club. Spence admitted that he had too much respect for the senior players and coaching staff, which ultimately led to him being overlooked.
“I think I’ve been a victim of being quiet, being too humble thinking things would happen for me without speaking up. But football is unfair,” he reflected. “When I first joined Tottenham, I think I gave them too much respect. I was a little bit too humble.”
Despite his struggles, Spence has recently taken advantage of injuries in the squad to gain more playing time. However, his future at the club remains uncertain as he continues to chase bigger ambitions, including representing England at the international level.
