As the January transfer window edges ever closer, talk is ramping up about the future of former Nottingham Forest loanee Djed Spence.
The promotion-winning wing-back has played just three minutes of Premier League football for Tottenham this season, and is set for a loan move away in the January transfer window.
It's unclear yet which club he will go to, with a number of Premier League and Championship sides said to be interested in signing the former England under-21 international. Below is a round-up of all the latest.
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January stance
The chances of Nottingham Forest promotion hero Djed Spence returning to the City Ground have been given a boost.
Spence made 42 appearances for Forest last season as they stormed up the Championship table under head coach Steve Cooper, going on to win promotion back to the Premier League through the play-offs.
The wing-back was one of the standout players of the season, and in the summer he earned a permanent move to Tottenham Hotspur, having been at Forest on loan from Championship rivals Middlesbrough.
What Spence has said...
"I am hopeful [of more game time], but I have just got to be patient and when my time comes I've just got to take it," Spence said (via Football London) after a rare appearance off the bench against Everton in October.
"I've just got to take it as it comes. It can take time or be quick [to get your chance], so it is what it is.
"I always believe in myself but you never know what happens in football so you've just got to be patient and when the time comes, the time will come."
What Spence has done...
The player has more recently taken the drastic step of removing all but one post from his Instagram account and all references to his current club Tottenham Hotspur and any other previous teams.
The caption on the only post he left up from mid-June, showing him playing for England's under-21s, reads: "Season officially over and qualifications for the Euros. Time to rest and recover. See you all next season." Spence did not sign for Tottenham until another month after that post, and his verified account on the social media platform now also has a plain black display photo and features an empty bio.
What Conte & Co have said...
“For our young players, every game is the game to trust in him,” assistant head coach Cristian Stellini said recently (via Football London). “If we think the EFL Cup is important, we need the players who are ready.
“Djed Spence is one of those for sure, he's working hard. Not every player is the same. They need time. Players that arrive from the Championship need more time. “He needs time. With the young players you need to make it the right time.
“When you play in the Championship, your step up is so big, you need to work. It's about a lot of situations. It's not only technically and tactically, he's working hard and we're happy with him.
“When you're working in a club like this, there's only one solution and that's to win the game. It's difficult for a player to come from the Championship and to be ready and to play with the pressure at first.”
What the reporters say...
ESPN have given an update, saying: "Djed Spence has not enjoyed as much game time as expected and could leave the club on loan with a host of Premier League and Championship clubs interested in the 22-year-old."
What Forest fans have said...
Jean Challand: Hope you’re OK, Djed. Sending love from the mighty Forest.
Bradley Price: Love you, Djed. Come back soon, mate.
Tim Richardson: Come back to Forest. We will welcome you with open arms.
What Spurs supporters have said...
George Brinkley: We love you, Spence. Keep working and you'll get your chance
Iftach Eshel: We love you, Djed. You will get your chance.
Robin Sjödin: Djed, I'm sorry you have to go through this. I still have to back Conte, though. Either way, us Spurs fans stand with you, and we all know you're better than Matt Doherty and especially Emerson Royal.
What is your stance on the Spence speculation? Have your say in the comments...
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