Djed Spence has opened up on how former Tottenham boss Antonio Conte “shattered” his confidence and says he had simply “one dialog” with the Italian whereas he was in cost.
Proper-back Spence joined Spurs in a £20million deal from Middlesbrough in 2022 however then-manager Conte barely performed him, insisting the previous Nottingham Forest loanee was an “funding for the membership” relatively than his personal signing.
The 24-year-old has hung out on mortgage at Rennes, Leeds and Genoa since arriving in North London however has damaged into Ange Postecoglou’s facet this season, often that includes in each full-back positions.
Spence: ‘I had one dialog with Conte’
Talking of his time underneath Conte, Spence informed the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast: “It wasn’t a pleasant feeling. Particularly as I used to be coming to the membership on a excessive, I used to be assured, I used to be buzzing, I’d had an excellent season and simply received promotion.
“Then it was like operating right into a brick wall. It shattered my confidence a bit. I’m younger, it’s not good to listen to actually.
“I knew it was garbage on the time. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling. I used to be even going into the membership like [puffs out cheeks and shrugs shoulders] and, ‘What am I doing?’”
He added: “I really feel like no matter I did, that man [Conte] wasn’t comfortable about something.
“Even for those who did the precise issues, you have been like, ‘Did I do the precise factor?’ As a result of he’s probably not a complimenting man.
“I most likely had one dialog with him.”
Djed Spence: “I Need To Play For England” 🏴
Model New Rio Presents is Out Now!
CC: @rioferdy5, @DjedSpence, @joelbeya pic.twitter.com/pYEu5UCzDc
— Rio Ferdinand Presents (@FIVEUK) March 24, 2025
Spence: ‘I’ve been too humble’
Spence additionally mentioned the turning level in his Spurs profession this season which has seen grow to be an vital a part of Spurs’ facet.
“I believe I’ve been a sufferer of being too humble,” he mentioned. “Considering issues are simply going to occur by not doing nothing and saying nothing. However typically it’s a must to categorical your self.
“In my first 12 months at Tottenham, I really feel I gave a bit an excessive amount of respect to the gamers and the environment as a result of it’s Tottenham. I got here from Forest, I’m going to the Premier League, a top-six membership, and I assumed, ‘Phew, that is huge’.
“I really feel like I gave them an excessive amount of respect with reference I didn’t actually be myself, I used to be a bit too humble with all the pieces.
“Once I went there, I noticed gamers who have been huge names like Harry Kane and Sonny [Heung-Min Son], and I’m pondering, ‘I don’t need to step on anybody’s toes’.
“However that was most likely my greatest mistake, doing that and never expressing myself how I ought to have.”
Requested when that perspective modified, Spence replied: “I’d most likely say this season, the start of the 12 months.
“I believe it simply occurs naturally. I’ve received no time to waste now. I’ve received to go get it, it’s time so it simply clicks.”
