'Fair play'- Former Tottenham man sold on resurgent N17 star; Fabio Paratici magic once again

Ex-Spurs midfielder ranks Djed Spence’s signing

Fabio Paratici’s return to Tottenham was celebrated by fans, and why wouldn’t they? The Italian director has already had one very successful spell in the white half of north London, having played a key role in the signings of Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr, Pedro Porro and many more.

Djed Spence was also signed under the 53-year-old’s leadership back in 2022. Having been frozen out for large spells and loaned out to different clubs, the signing of Djed Spence felt like an absolute waste of resources. He was going nowhere at Spurs, until an injury crisis opened up the door for him to showcase his skill set last season, and the full-back took it with both hands. Since then, he has not looked back.

The 25-year-old has successfully managed to revive his Spurs career against all the odds. Such has been Spence’s form since December 2024 that he’s got two contract extensions within a year. His consistent performances in a Spurs shirt have led to iconic football commentator Ian Darke feeling he is now “undroppable” from Frank’s first XI. It has also led to the full-back getting selected for the senior England squad in the previous two international breaks.

When discussing Paratici’s top Tottenham signings, English pundit Jamie O’Hara admitted that Spence has been a massive hit. Like Darke, the former Spurs midfielder feels Spence has made himself a regular starter and deserves plaudits.

“No, he’s a massive hit. I mean, he’s playing for England, you know. What a player. Fair play to him,” Jamie O’Hara told Sky Sports.

“He’s stuck at it. You know, he’s got his chance and he’s deserved his opportunity and now he’s looking like a player who, you know, is an absolute starter for us week in week out. So, that’s a massive hit.”

Spence can still improve

Spence benefited from Destiny Udogie’s injury at the start of the season, cementing his spot at left-back under the new gaffer. Yet, at 25, the full-back is seemingly not the finished article. The England international is very good in certain aspects of the game like 1v1 defending and overlapping runs. But, there remains room for improvement, especially in concentration levels and decision-making on and off the ball.

Having earned a reputation of improving so many players, Frank appears to be the right manager to unlock Spence’s true potential. And the fans are watching the defender go from strength-to-strength in a Tottenham shirt. Clearly, there’s more to come from him.