Fabio Paratici has claimed that Djed Spence is ‘less ready’ than Tottenham’s other summer signings since he is he does not have experience of top-flight football.
When Tottenham snapped up Spence from Middlesbrough this summer on the back of his breakthrough season on loan at Nottingham Forest, some Spurs fans would have been forgiven for thinking that the 22-year-old would battle it out with Matt Doherty for a place in the starting eleven.
However, Emerson Royal has started every game for Tottenham so far this season with Spence having made just one appearance as a substitute (Transfermarkt).
Two weeks ago, Antonio Conte praised the England Under-21 international for his attitude in training since arriving at the club but he admitted that the youngster needs time to adapt to the demands of top-flight football (Football.London).
Paratici has now echoed the same sentiments, stating that Spence, along with the likes of Pape Matar Sarr, are not ready to be thrown in at the deep end.
When asked about the right-back, Tottenham’s managing director of football told Spurs TV: “If we sign a player it’s because we believe in these players.
“Destiny will stay in Udinese one more year and the others; Sarr, Spence and even don’t forget Bryan Gil because he’s really young.
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“People forget sometimes that Sessegnon, Emerson, Romero and Kulusevski are just 21 or 22, so I think this group of players, some are more ready and lucky enough to play in more matches before at the beginning of their career and some are less ready because they arrive for example Spence from the Championship, Sarr from Metz, so it is more difficult for them.”
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I was not expecting Spence to slot straight into the team, given his lack of experience at the top level. However, there is no doubt about the 22-year-old’s talent and I remain convinced that he will have moved ahead of Emerson and Doherty in the pecking order before the end of this season.
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