Ruthless Tottenham put rebel up for immediate sale after attitude problems shock Postecoglou and Levy — Team Talk 6/1/24
Steve Pearson
Tottenham have put returning loanee Djed Spence up for
immediate sale, and a report and the comments of Leeds United boss Daniel Farke
have outlined the worrying reason why.
Spence, 23, joined Spurs in a £20m deal back in the summer
window of 2022. The move came on the back of Spence’s astonishing campaign
while loaned to Nottingham Forest the year prior. The marauding right-back
excelled in the wing-back role and was named in the Championship team of the
season as Forest secured promotion via the play-offs.
However, Spence barely got a look-in during his first season
with Tottenham. The defender was subsequently loaned to French side Rennes for
the second half of the 2022/23 campaign before again being turfed out on loan
to Leeds United ahead of the current season.
Injury disrupted his time at Elland Road. However, upon
returning to fitness, Spence did not appear to be in manager Daniel Farke’s
favour.
To the shock of many, Leeds abruptly cut the loan stint
short at the halfway mark on January 4.
Farke attempted to remain diplomatic when explaining his
club’s decision on Friday. However, it was clear to see attitude problems were
at the heart of Spence’s spell with Leeds being cut short.
“Listen, in the summer we came here in order to create and
to bring new values and to create a new culture within the club and when we
speak about a player if he’s on here on a permanent or a loan deal, we have
expectations and these expectations are in several topics important,” said
Farke (as quoted by the Daily Mail).
“Obviously it’s important, the potential and the quality of
the player but also it’s professionalism, it’s discipline, it’s workload on and
off the pitch and also the soft skills, so also if he’s positive and committed,
good for the group and engaged with these topics, paint then more or less a
picture.
“And we decided okay, this is the player we want in our
group and want to represent Leeds United, our demands are very, very high and
we don’t differ between loan players, permanent players so we are pretty picky
in this topic.
“We came to the conclusion that we will end the loan for
Djed and he will return back to Tottenham. We are grateful for his time here.”
Now, according to the Daily Mail, Tottenham have opted to
put Spence immediately up for permanent sale.
The outlet state that stance has been taken after Spurs
chiefs were left in shock at Leeds’ decision to terminate the loan amid
‘concerns over his attitude’.
The Mail add Tottenham already held ‘similar reservations’
to the ones alluded to by Farke. The Leeds debacle has only served to heighten
their fears and Spurs are now ready to axe Spence for good. One key point of
contention regarding Spence’s alleged attitude issues is poor time-keeping.
One figure in the game who Spence’s fall from grace won’t
come as a surprise to is veteran manager Neil Warnock.
Back in November of 2020, Warnock – who managed Spence at
Middlesbrough – famously stated: “He could be playing at a top club in England
or in non-league in five years, I don’t know. Application, dedication, all
these things come into it. He’s got the tools, there’s no doubt about that.”
Spence is due to report back to Tottenham today (Saturday),
though the Mail reaffirm his days in north London are now numbered.
