I didn’t like Djed Spence as a person – veteran manager gives honest assessment of Tottenham defender
Neil Warnock has made an admission about what he thinks of Djed Spence’s recent improvements for Tottenham and explained why he did not like working with the full-back during their time together at Middlesbrough.
Djed Spence and Warnock did not see eye-to-eye during their time at Middlesbrough, with the right-back being loaned out to Nottingham Forest during the 2021-22 season.
Warnock insisted at the time that the defender would end up in non-league if he did not pull up his socks. Spence shot back at the experienced English manager on social media after helping Forest win promotion to the top flight.
The 76-year-old manager has now revealed what was going through his mind when he watched the player he had previously written off deliver a masterclass in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United earlier this month.
Spence continued his impressive run of form when he scored in Tottenham’s 4-1 victory against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Neil Warnock admits Djed Spence has “learnt so quick” at Spurs
Warnock has now explained that he never doubted Spence’s talent but admitted that he never liked him as a person during their time together at the Riverside Stadium.
He stated that the youngster has learned from his mistakes and matured at Spurs as evidenced by his recent performances, insisting that he is pleased to see the defender now thriving at N17.
When asked about Spence, Warnock said on the Seaman Says Podcast: “Well, I watched Djed Spence and I thought, what a player, you know. Unfortunately for me, I’m hoping that some of the things I said to him at Middlesbrough might have come through. Because he wasn’t a nice lad.
“He had a few problems, I thought, at Middlesbrough. And he had to sort himself out. But last night, when you looked at him on the pitch last night, I even thought, I bet he’s done all right off the pitch now.
“I’m hoping he has. Because I didn’t like him as a person. But skill-wise, that was never in doubt, really. But even when he first went to Tottenham, you know, I was watching him and he was like, he wasn’t playing in position, I thought. You know, he was getting dragged all over the place. He’s learnt so quickly, hasn’t he?
“He’s had to as well. I mean, he’s had to do and, you know, when we had our disagreement, I won’t tell you what it was about, but it was in Covid and he wasn’t clever, really. I was disappointed in him. But he was one of them that you’d say, you don’t know whether he’s going to end up at Bromley or he’s going to end up at Spurs. You know, it’s up to him, really.
“And when he went to Spurs, I don’t think Conte wanted him. I think they bought him because they wanted to get some English players in, I think, because I don’t think Conte wanted him, if I’m honest. But, and you’ll give him a chance. And I looked at it, I thought he was refreshing me. That’s nice. Everything he did, I thought, that’ll do for me.”
Djed Spence has come of age over the last 12 months
There is no doubt that even Ange Postecoglou has seen a difference in the right-back this season, which is why Spence has been handed a new Spurs contract and given first-team opportunities after being shipped out on loan last season.
It was reported earlier this week that Djed Spence had a transformative experience during his loan spell at Genoa, where he realised he had to knuckle down and produce his best if he wanted to play at the highest level.
Given how well he is doing now, Tottenham will be thanking their lucky stars that Genoa did not activate their £8.5m option to buy Spence last summer.
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