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Scouting expert: Djed Spence could claim England spot for World Cup after Tottenham transfer
We’re delighted to welcome Football Manager’s Wolves researcher Dave Azzopardi as our exclusive columnist. Each week the scouting expert will be giving his views on the biggest talking points on Wonderkids across the UK…
New Tottenham signing Djed Spence could earn himself a spot in the England World Cup squad with good early season performances, says Dave Azzopardi.
The 21-year-old right-back earned himself a move to Spurs from Middlesbrough via a brilliant season-long loan deal at Nottingham Forest last season, with the north London club spending up to £20m to get a deal done.
Now part of a Champions League club, his performances could catch the eye of Gareth Southgate who would be “daft” not to consider him for a place in his squad for Qatar if he performs well in the first half of the season.
“I liked him a lot, obviously watching Forest have their run in the FA Cup and the playoffs,” he told The Football Wonderkids.
“I think they’ll be disappointed that they weren’t able to sign him, but I think it’s a good signing [for Spurs]. I don’t think he’ll be a player who plays all 38 games for Tottenham next season, I think they’ve still got some decent depth there at right wing-back, but Conte is a great manager.
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“I think Spurs will have to be taken a lot more seriously this season. They’ve brought in some good players and it’s a good deal, between £10-15m, so I think it’s a really good amount.
“He was in the England Under-21’s so, obviously England have got such a huge amount of right-backs right now but maybe he’s another one for Gareth Southgate to think about before the World Cup.
“If he can start the season well.. I think with a back five, if Southgate’s looking at a back five still and Tottenham start the season with a back five and Spence excels then Southgate would be daft not to think about him.
“But you’ve still got Trippier, you’ve still got Trent Alexander-Arnold, you’ve still got Reece James, you’ve still got Kyle Walker so maybe this World Cup is a step too far but it definitely bodes well for the future of England.”
In other Tottenham news, Antonio Conte has admitted that Djed Spence wasn’t his choice to be signed.