Why Tottenham fans should not be worried about Djed Spence after Antonio Conte distances himself from transfer

TOTTENHAM welcomed their sixth new face through the Hotspur Way doors this week, with Djed Spence following in the footsteps of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, and Clement Lenglet.

However, Antonio Conte revealed in his press conference that Spence was actually a signing driven by the club, rather than one of his own personal targets.

Djed Spence joined Tottenham from Middlesbrough this weekCredit: Getty

Antonio Conte had his say on the signing of SpenceCredit: AFP

He said: “For the club, it’s not simple to go into the transfer market and sign players free like Perisic and Forster and sign players on loan like Lenglet, and to sign players with money like Richarlison and Bissouma and Spence.

“Spence is an investment of the club. The club wanted to do it. I said OK, this player is young, but he showed he can become a good, important player for us. The club decided to buy him.”

These comments have led some to wonder whether Conte wanted Spence, if the club forced the right-back on him and whether the 21-year-old will be given game time.

However, I don’t think the Spurs faithful should be worried about any of the above.

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Conte is not a manager who will have players forced on to him, especially not during this crucial rebuild with Spurs.

He is a proven winner, and he knows just how far ahead Manchester City and Liverpool are in the race for Premier League titles.

The Italian held talks with Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici at the end of last season and he was happy with the plans for the summer and beyond.

Conte stated this week: “Honestly when I spoke [to the chairman] it was very simple because at the start of the conversation the club was very clear with me.”

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He added: “My target is to try to be competitive. My target is that when the other teams are going to play against Tottenham, they will be, not scared, but a bit worried.

“This is our target. Then I have a group of players that need to have ambition together and to go another step.”

Conte has always been a manager who comes in and gets what he wants – that is how he has achieved so much success within short-term stints at various clubs, including Chelsea, Juventus, and Inter Milan.

If we can guarantee one thing, it’s that no signing has been made this summer without the full support of Antonio Conte.

I think what the Spurs head coach was saying in his press conference is that Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy put forward the signing of Spence, before Conte reviewed it and gave the deal the green light.

Conte will know that, despite wanting proven winners here and now, Tottenham also have homegrown rules to contend with.

Young, homegrown right-backs with experience playing in a wing-back formation don’t grow on trees.

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And the fact Conte has made this statement will also show Djed Spence that he has to fight for chances in the starting XI – they won’t be handed to him.

So, have no fear, Spurs fans. Conte is getting exactly what he wants… and that usually ends well.

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Antonio Conte has been able to shape the squad in his own imageCredit: Getty

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

Why Tottenham fans should not be worried about Djed Spence after Antonio Conte distances himself from transfer

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