Tottenham’s assistant head coach, Cristian Stellini has claimed that Djed Spence is ‘ready’ and ‘working hard’ ahead of the Carabao Cup clash against Nottingham Forest this week.
Spence was one of the seven new names signed by Antonio Conte in the summer but has yet to start for the Lilywhites in any competition this season, reduced to short cameos off the bench.
With the third round of the League Cup coming up tomorrow evening, there will be plenty of Spurs fans who are keen to see Spence in the starting XI for the first time.
When asked about the 22-year-old right-wing-back this afternoon, Stellini claimed that the League Cup is important and Spurs need players ‘who are ready’, before naming Spence as ‘one of those’.
However, with Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal providing other options at right-wing-back, it is still unclear as to whether Spence will get the chance he so desperately wants.
Stellini said (Football London): “For our young players, every game is the game to trust in him. If we think the EFL Cup is important, we need the player who are ready. Djed Spence is one of those for sure, he’s working hard.
“Not every player is the same. They need time. Players that arrive from the Championship need more time. He needs time. With the young players you need to make it the right time.
“When you play in the Championship, your step up is so big, you need to work. It’s about a lot of situations. It’s not only techncially and tactically, he’s working hard and we’re happy with him.
“When you’re working in a club like this, there’s only one solution and that’s to win the game. It’s difficult for a player to come from the Championship and to be ready and to play with the pressure at first.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
If Spence can’t even get a start in the third round of the League Cup then he is destined to go without a start all season and should be loaned out in January. Yes, I’m sure he has learned a lot training under Conte, but he needs to be playing regularly at that age too.
Have something to tell us about this article?
