Djed Spence has gone from Tottenham’s forgotten man to key fullback at the club following latest man-of-the-match display against Man United, which has seen his market value almost double up.
Djed Spence’s resurgence at Tottenham Hotspur has seen his market value soar, reaffirming his status as one of the Premier League’s most in-form full-backs.
The 24-year-old, whose career seemed to be at a standstill just months ago, has seized his opportunity in Ange Postecoglou’s side and is now a player in high demand.
Since leaving Middlesbrough in 2022, Spence’s journey has been anything but straightforward. He made a name for himself at Nottingham Forest during a loan spell in the 2021/22 season, playing a key role in their promotion to the Premier League.
That campaign saw him feature 46 times, contributing three goals and five assists, performances that convinced Tottenham to sign him for a deal worth up to £20 million.
However, his first season at Spurs was far from smooth. Under Antonio Conte, he found opportunities limited, featuring only six times.
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The Italian manager, who viewed him as a club signing rather than a personal choice, never fully integrated him into his plans.
A series of underwhelming loan spells followed, first at Rennes, where injury hampered his progress, and then at Leeds United.
His stint at Elland Road ended prematurely after falling out of favour with Daniel Farke, who cited professionalism and commitment as key factors in his decision. Spence, however, refuted those claims, insisting he remained focused despite setbacks.
A temporary switch to Genoa in January 2024 offered another chance at redemption, but the Italian club opted not to trigger their option to buy him for £8.5 million.
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By the time he returned to Spurs for pre-season, his valuation had dropped to €6.9 million (Ksh 931.5 million), a significant decline from earlier estimates.
Postecoglou, initially hesitant to use Spence, handed him his first Premier League start of the season on December 15.
The full-back delivered an assured display, registering an assist in a commanding 5-0 victory over Southampton. Since then, he has become a fixture in the starting XI, earning plaudits for his defensive solidity and attacking contributions.
His standout performance came in Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United, where he was named Player of the Match.
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Pundits, including Gary Lineker, have taken notice, with some suggesting he should be on England manager Thomas Tuchel’s radar ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Spence’s resurgence has seen his market value rebound to €11.5 million (Ksh 1.5 billion), an increase of Ksh 608 million according to hfootballtransfers.com. His rise is expected to continue should he maintain his current form.
Born to a Kenyan mother and a Jamaican father, Spence remains eligible to represent Harambee Stars. However, with England’s World Cup qualifiers approaching, his recent displays could earn him a Three Lions call-up, making a switch to Kenya increasingly unlikely.
For now, Spence is focused on cementing his place at Tottenham. With Destiny Udogie returning to fitness, competition for the left-back spot will intensify, but Spence’s form makes him difficult to dislodge.
His journey, marked by perseverance and self-belief, is now paying off, and Tottenham fans will hope his resurgence continues.
