Antonio Conte's Tottenham side have had a decent start to the season, securing seven points out of a possible nine. Spurs are currently level on points with both Man City and Leeds after winning two and drawing one of their first three fixtures.
The Lilywhites have started their last two games poorly and will need to improve this to ensure they don't get caught out by teams as the season progresses. Tottenham's next opponents are Nottingham Forest, their first clash against a newly promoted side.
The away fixture against Steven Cooper's team will see Spurs come up against a Forest side who have won one, drawn one and lost one of their first few Premier League matches. However, there could be a double boost for Conte when his side travels to the Midlands.
READ MORE: Why Tottenham supporters must be patient with Djed Spence as Antonio Conte turns him into a star
Djed Spence spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Forest from Middlesbrough and became a key part of Cooper's promotion side. The 22-year-old made 42 Championship appearances and seven goal contributions, as well as featuring against the likes of Arsenal, Leicester and Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Spence moved to N17 this summer, becoming Spurs' sixth new arrival. During Tottenham's pre-season, football.london spoke to the youngster in Israel, where the wing-back admitted Conte has told him to "just buy into what he's doing, work hard and just play well when I get my chance."
Spence also opened up on his move to north London, which didn't seem too difficult. "[The wait] didn't really affect me too much," he explained.
"I was always certain of coming here. It didn't affect me too much. I just focused on what I was doing, training hard. That was it, really. The manager [was a big draw], obviously the club itself is a big club. Champions League football. Those were the things that made me want to come.
"The manager knows what he wants, and he wants his players to work hard. I'm willing to do that. I think it's going to be a good season for everyone," Spence added.
Ivan Perisic has also joined the Tottenham camp this summer and has already made an impact with his experience and age, meaning he has been giving the likes of Spence and Ryan Sessegnon advice. "I spoke to Ivan just then," Spence said.
"He told me my chance will come, just be ready, train hard, when you get your chance, do well, and hopefully, you'll stay in the team." The 22-year-old was perhaps a bit unlucky not to get some more game time during pre-season.
Spence made the bench in the 4-1 victory against Southampton but hasn't been included in the matchday squad for the last two games. Last week, Conte was asked about Spurs' seventh signing, Destiny Udogie and his potential.
The 19-year-old has been loaned back to Udinese for the rest of the season, and although he was the focus of the Italian's response, Spence was also mentioned. "For sure, this player [Udogie] needs to develop like Spence and, in my opinion, a good investment for the club," he said.
"When you are young, you need to play to improve your experience. For sure, we are talking about a good prospect, but we are talking about a player for the future, not for the present. He has to develop and to grow with a group of players with more experience."
Spence has never played Premier League football, and when competing with Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty, you need to be patient. However, the wing-back could impact this week by giving Conte, his coaching staff and his teammates an insight into his former side's tactics.
Even if Spence doesn't feature against Forest, Conte could be handed a boost if the 22-year-old can give Tottenham some tactics they can try and overcome. Another boost could come in the form of Sergio Reguilon.
According to the Athletic, the Spaniard could make the loan move to the Midlands, with talks believed to have taken place in recent weeks. Reguilon has been part of the quartet (including Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso) of those who aren't in Conte's plans and have been training separately from the rest of the squad.
Ndombele and Lo Celso have now got loan moves, and Reguilon could be next. The 25-year-old made 25 Premier League appearances last season and five goal contributions.
However, with the growing improvement of Sessegnon and the arrival of Perisic, it would become even more difficult for the defender to get regular game time. Reports also suggest Tottenham wants Reguilon's salary covered, which would help get the Spaniard off the books and boost the club financially.
Sunday's match could be a boost for this move, as it could give Fabio Paratici and the Spurs camp a chance to speak to Forest and potentially move further forward with a potential deal.
On the pitch, Conte will hope his side can produce improved performance and get three points. Meanwhile, off the pitch, some transfer business could be nearing completion.
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