“#ConteOut”, “It could not have been more obvious Conte would not play him” – Tottenham fans raise their voice against ‘ridiculous’ decision to leave out player from squad for Wolves game
Tottenham Hotspur fans have hit out at Antonio Conte for not selecting new signing Djed Spence in his matchday squad for their clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 20.
The young right-back joined Spurs for £13.23 million from Middlesbrough. Spence impressed whilst on loan at Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest last season.
He was impressive for Forest, making 46 appearances, scoring three goals and contributing five assists.
The defender was a big part of Steve Cooper's side that secured promotion but has struggled to break into Conte's side since arriving in the summer.
He is yet to make a senior appearance for the north London side and misses out altogether in today's game against Wolves.
Meanwhile, Hugo Lloris starts in goal for Spurs behind a back five of Emerson Royal, Davinson Sanchez, Eric Dier, Ben Davies and Ivan Perisic.
Perisic also joined Spurs this summer from Inter Milan and was handed his first start under Conte.
Pierre-Emile Hojberg and and Rodrigo Bentancur start in midfield with the tenacious front three of Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.
Conte's side have kicked off their season in impressive fashion, beating Southampton 4-1 in their season opener.
They followed that up with a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend in a tense affair.
Kane grabbed a dramatic 96th minute equalizer in what could end up being one of the best games of the Premier League season.
Tottenham fans have been enthused by their side's performances but seem to have found fault with Spence's lack of inclusion.
Here are some reactions from Twitter from fans on the young English defender missing out once again:
@SpursOfficial @Wolves Where is spence ?
@SpursOfficial @Wolves No Spence again https://t.co/2JmbAdC20v
@thfclement @SpursOfficial @Wolves Ridiculous the kid has talent but don’t even get on the bench exactly why I said we needed another signing there as Conte didn’t want him and he us U21 so no need to nene in the main squad
twitter.com/spursofficial/…
Djed 💔 twitter.com/spursofficial/…
Nice but free Djed Spence PLEASE #COYS twitter.com/spursofficial/…
Spence May as well be loaned back to forest, contes not even naming him in the squad twitter.com/spursofficial/…
No Spence on the bench, #ConteOut twitter.com/spursofficial/…
WHERE IS SPENCE twitter.com/spursofficial/…
What does Spence have to do to make the bench? twitter.com/SpursOfficial/…
Spence should never have gone to Spurs… it could not have been more obvious Conte would not play him (or even take him to games) — hope they loan him out for his own development. He isn’t complete but he’s much better than Emerson. twitter.com/spursofficial/…
Spence was never a transfer target for Tottenham manager Antonio Conte
Spurs boss Conte seems to have revealed that he had no say in the transfer of Spence from Middlesbrough.
Speaking to reporters on the signing back in July, he said (via the Daily Mail):
"Spence is an investment of the club. The club wanted to do it. I said, 'OK, this player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us'. The club decided to buy him.' "
This appears to be true as the young right-back is yet to make an appearance under the Italian.
He has been linked with other top Premier League sides including Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.
But it was Tottenham who won the race for the former Forest loanee.