Djed Spence says that Antonio Conte has been improving him tactically behind the scenes as the young wing-back waits patiently for his first Tottenham start.
Djed Spence said: “I appreciate the warm welcome. Obviously my first game here so I really appreciate it and I just can’t wait to get going. It was a good day for the team, a good day for myself, so very happy to get the three points.”
Ahead of the game, Conte had delivered some unprompted praise for Spence and his work in recent training sessions, saying that he felt the young player now understood the demands of playing at a Champions League club like Tottenham.
Djed Spence said: “I guess it is just something new for me. I have got to learn but I am working hard to improve, working hard to get in the team and hopefully I can get some run of games soon.”
When asked what Conte and the coaches have been working with him on in training,
Djed Spence said: “Just everything. My whole game generally, tactically as well, so everything in general. Definitely my tactical side [has improved since arriving]. I am learning a lot from training and learning a lot from the guys, so I am learning a lot at the moment.”
Conte admitted to football.london in South Korea during the summer that Spence had been a player the club were keen to purchase, which with the subsequent lack of game time led fans to assuming the Italian did not want the player. Conte explained himself that he sees Spence as an important prospect for the future but that others are ahead of him at the moment in the pecking order. On that ‘club signing’ comment,
Djed Spence said: “I didn’t really see it. I don’t really pay attention. I just train, you know pay attention to my football and train hard. Let the rest do the rest obviously.”
Having caught Conte’s eye in training now, the young wide man is hoping for further minutes as Spurs fit in a flurry of matches every three to four days ahead of the winter break for the World Cup.
Djed Spence 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. 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.”
Spence has been tipped to start for Spurs in their Carabao Cup match against Forest next month but he admits he wants to aim for more than just that.
Djed Spence said: “I mean I want to play not just in the cup, in the league as well so whether my first start comes in the league or the cup, I’ve just got to be ready. Everyone has welcomed me [to the club]. There is not one specific player. All the team have welcomed me, all the staff, so it has been good. The fans have for sure and you’ve seen it today. I appreciate the love from everybody.”
Spence has been working hard on his fitness to reach the demands Conte places on his players, in particular his wing-backs, and one man who played his part in his work off the pitch was Gian Piero Ventrone, the renowned fitness coach who passed away suddenly this month from leukaemia.
Djed Spence said: “He was a good guy, always pushing us to our limits. Obviously I didn’t know him as well as the other boys but what I knew from him was he was a very hard-working guy. He always made sure we did things right and would push ourselves to places we thought we couldn’t go so yeah, he was a top guy. Yeah probably [they were probably the hardest sessions I’ve done], but it was good stuff.”
Conte revealed to football.london on Monday that he has suggested to the club that he take the non-World Cup players for warm weather training during the upcoming break in the Premier League’s calendar. Spence is looking to use the break to his advantage, working with Conte, and like every English player he dreams one one day stepping from the England U21s into the senior squad, particularly with Spurs’ history of producing England right-backs.
Djed Spence said: “We will just have to wait and see [what happens in the winter break], I guess. Everyone will have a break and you’ve got to come back stronger. Everyone wants to play for England one day. It would be a dream to play for England and you never know what is around the corner so hopefully one day I get my chance.”
