- Starred on loan at Forest last season
- Big-money move to north London
- Has made just one appearance
WHAT HAPPENED? Spurs moved to snap up the highly-rated right wing-back from Middlesbrough after seeing him star on loan at Nottingham Forest in their successful promotion push out of the Championship in 2021-22. The 22-year-old has, however, been limited to just one substitute appearance this season – at the City Ground in August – and has remained out of favour despite Emerson Royal struggling to convince in the position he would like to occupy.
WHAT THEY SAID: Conte has said of overlooking England U21 international Spence: “The fans have to be fans. The fans is the fans, I understand they can think everything but I see every day what happens during the training session. I try to do the best for the team. If they trust me, then they trust me, but the choices are mine. If I didn't decide to pick one player it's maybe because he's not ready. We are talking about a young player with a good prospect, but I repeat I try to pick the best team.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Spence may get an opportunity to impress over the coming weeks as Brazil international Royal is set to serve a suspension for the reckless red card he picked up in a 3-1 north London derby defeat to Arsenal.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
![Djed Spence Tottenham 2022](https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt268210d0b61d8d92/GettyImages-1423055549.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60)
Next Match
![Djed Spence Nottingham Forest 2021-22](https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt8a2597bbe7aaf013/Djed_Spence_Nottingham_Forest_2021-22.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60)
![Antonio Conte Tottenham 2022-23](https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt431714abb5c91777/GettyImages-1243200808.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=3840&quality=60)
WHAT NEXT FOR TOTTENHAM? Conte’s side saw their unbeaten start to the 2022-23 Premier League campaign brought to a close at Emirates Stadium and will be looking to offer a positive response to that setback when facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Tuesday and in-form Brighton in domestic action on Saturday.