Tottenham Hotspur, under the management of Ange Postecoglou, are demonstrating a refreshing willingness to acknowledge when to move on from underperforming players. As the summer transfer window approaches, Postecoglou faces crucial decisions regarding player sales, a necessary step before focusing on new signings.
One such decision involves Djed Spence, a defender who has failed to impress since joining Spurs in 2022 for a base fee of £20m.
According to Football Insider, Spence is in advanced talks to join Serie A club Lecce on a loan-to-buy deal, with a potential permanent transfer valued at £7m, contingent on certain performance triggers.
This move comes as no surprise, given Spence’s limited playing time at Spurs, with only four Premier League appearances to his name. Despite his versatility as a full-back capable of playing in various positions, Spence faces stiff competition from preferred full-backs Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro.
Spence’s impending departure marks a financial loss for Tottenham, but it also acknowledges the reality of his struggles to adapt to the Premier League.
His loan spell at Genoa last season, where he made 16 appearances, suggests he may be better suited to playing abroad. While Spence’s signing was initially promising, his failure to establish himself at Spurs renders him a flop signing.
Postecoglou’s willingness to cut ties with underperforming players demonstrates a pragmatic approach to building a successful team.