Despite showing glimpses of promise during the 2021/22 pre-season at Middlesbrough, Neil Warnock allowed Djed Spence to leave the club on a season-long loan to Nottingham Forest.
“He needed to sort himself out, really. I basically said to him that you can go to the top or you can go non-league.”
“I think Steve Cooper is the manager for him, to be honest. He has let him go forward more often, which suits his game”, explained Warnock.
Spence started his football career with South London side Junior Elite, where he played alongside Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe.
He then moved to Fulham’s academy before joining Middlesbrough in the summer of 2018 at 17 years of age.
The right-back quickly grabbed the eye and started showing his exciting talent and potential.
Spence was integrated into the first-team fold during the 2019/20 season by Jonathan Woodgate and became a regular under his successor, Neil Warnock, in the first half of the 2020/21 season.
Spence’s minutes began to drop, and he was no longer fancied by the manager, leading to his eventual loan to Forest.
Since moving to the City Ground, Spence has relished his new role at right wing-back under Steve Cooper.
He demonstrated his quality and consistency throughout the league campaign, and ended the season playing the 5th most minutes and matches in the Championship, and the 1st among fullbacks.
The 21-year-old was most notably praised for his impressive performances in the FA Cup victories over Leicester City and Arsenal.
After gaining promotion back to the Premier League, the Forest faithful will be hoping that the deal will be made permanent.
Spence, now back at Boro, is heavily being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Antonio Conte is rumoured to rate the young Englishman and wants him to possibly replace the outgoing Emerson Royale at right wingback in his 3-4-3 system.
Middlesbrough, who already have a top-quality right back in Isaiah Jones, will happily cash in on Spence in the summer for around £15m.
This tactical analysis and scout report will look at Spence’s key attributes and style of play.
The analysis highlights his strengths and weaknesses and whether he is ready to make the step up to the Premier League for a top-four club.
Djed Spence Style Of Play
The young Englishman is a very dynamic, energetic and forward-thinking right back/wingback.
Spence is as direct as they come, constantly on the attack and looking to push his side up the field.
The 3-4-1-2 system under Cooper gives him the freedom to patrol up and down the flanks and act as his team’s primary attacking force from the right side of the pitch.
He has been undroppable this season, regarded as one of the standout players in the league.
Spence played a vital role in Forests promotion-winning side.
He
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