Antonio Conte has revealed that Djed Spence is improving and "starting to understand which is the demand to stay at Tottenham". Joining in July from Middlesbrough after a sublime season in the Championship with Nottingham Forest, the right wing-back has only made one substitute appearance for the club so far.
Behind Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty in the Tottenham pecking order, Spence has had to be very patient with a place in the matchday squad not always there for him due to the other options available to Conte. Amid the clamour from Tottenham fans to see him start, Conte has so far resisted the temptation of throwing the player straight into the side as he instead gets used to the demands at Spurs and also the head coach's ways.
Without Emerson against Everton on Saturday through suspension, Doherty will be the favourite to come in again but Conte also has Ivan Perisic and Spence who can start on the right if he wants to switch things up. Asked about Doherty in his pre-match press conference, Conte also opened on Spence and what he's noticed about his player in Tottenham training.
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"We played also before without Emerson against Brighton. Matthew played a good game. He is recovering good form and I am really pleased for this because he struggled a lot, this guy, to come back at an important level. Last season, I think Matthew struggled at the start but then he played an important season for us," admitted the Spurs boss.
"My hope [is] to have more options in this role also for Djed, I think he is improving and starting to understand which is the demand to stay at Tottenham. But I’m pleased if I have more options. Then I have only to pick the best choice, I’m happy."
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