Djed Spence believes he can thrive as an inverted full-back at Spurs
Djed Spence speaks about the challenges of adapting to the inverted full-back role and reveals that one Tottenham teammate has helped him a lot in his quest to do so.
Djed Spence has hardly put a foot wrong this season
Spence has primarily been used as Destiny Udogie’s backup at left-back this season and he has impressed every single time he has been handed an opportunity.
The Englishman has been a bit unlucky not to get more game time than he has, with Tottenham’s lack of homegrown and club-trained players forcing Ange Posetecoglou to leave him out of the Europa League squad for the group stages.
With matches now coming thick and fast, there is no doubt that the 24-year-old will have a role to play over the next few months as Spurs look to compete on multiple fronts.
Spence on the challenges of new role
Spence confessed that the role he is now getting used to is very different to the ones he has played previously, having primarily been a touchline wing-back in the past.
However, the Englishman made it clear that he is keen to learn and insisted that he has the attributes to thrive in this role.
The full-back told Tottenham’s matchday programme (as relayed by Football.London): “It’s been a difficult couple of years for me personally, but I think this year will be a good one for me. The manager has been great. He has his way of playing and we’ve bought into it – it’s been relentless in a good way!
“We play great football and that comes down to hard work in training as we play how we train. No matter what the style of play, as a player you always have to learn and adapt so you have to put your mind to it, buy into it and then we can go to great places.
“It’s different from what I’ve been used to. I’m always willing to learn and I’m a good learner as well. It requires certain abilities and I believe I have those, so it’s just a new position to add to the toolbox and it’s good for me.
“You pick up good positions, one minute you’re left-back, next you’re in midfield and then in the 10 position, so it’s a good role to try to master and I think it’s a good role for me personally in terms of my development as a player.”
Spence on relationship with Destiny Udogie
Spence revealed that he has a good relationship with Udogie and that the pair often give each other feedback on what they could have done differently in training sessions and matches.
He added: “I’m always happy to help the team win. And, on a personal note, I want to play well for myself as well so I have to keep working and training hard and try to keep putting in good performances when I’m called upon this season.
“l always speak to Destiny and we chat a lot outside of training. When I’ve played, he’s giving me feedback and coaching me with certain things I could’ve done better with and certain things I’ve done well. And I do the same with him.
“It’s different when you’re not playing and you’re watching them play your position, you can spot certain things that he might not have noticed live at the time so we help each other out, we talk, we always have our little competition but we have a really good relationship.”
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