Antonio Conte has revealed that Djed Spence hasn't shown enough to start for Tottenham Hotspur after Emerson Royal was sent off in the north London derby.
The Brazilian was shown a straight red card in the 62nd minute for a late tackle on Gabriel Martinelli and it ended up costing Spurs as they suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season. Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka scored for Arsenal as they ran out 3-1 winners at the Emirates Stadium.
Some Tottenham fans have blasted Conte's decision to keep persisting with Royal given his form this season, with Matt Doherty and Spence waiting in the wings. Royal has started at right wing-back in all but one of Spurs' eight Premier League games so far this season.
Spence joined Spurs in a deal worth around £20million from Middlesbrough in the summer after impressing on loan at Nottingham Forest last season. Meanwhile, Doherty has struggled with injury worries and missed the back end of last term with a serious knee issue.
When it was put to him that Spurs supporters are hoping Spence may get more playing time following Royal's suspension, Conte said: "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.
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"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.
"Also Doherty last season played every game. Now I’m not seeing him in the right way to start the game. I’m not stupid, I don’t want to lose. I try to put the best team, to pick the best team. If they trust me it's ok, if they don’t trust me then I'm the coach and I need to take the best decision for Tottenham."
After Royal was brandished a red card in the second-half, which ultimately cost Tottenham the north London derby, Spence's sister aimed a dig and took to Instagram to state how things 'could've been different'. The 21-year-old was one of the brightest stars in the Championship last season, but hasn't been able to cement his place in the Tottenham side so far.
Speaking after his move was confirmed in July, Spence said: "I'm thankful I'm here and I've got the opportunity to play for the club. It's a privilege to be here.
"I can't wait to meet the players, the staff and obviously the manager and train with the team. I'm a very chilled character, I'm very humble. Everything's about football with me, I've dedicated my whole life to it. I'll bring excitement, skill, speed. I just want to excite the fans and play well."
