John Wenham believes Tottenham should keep ‘this’ 25yo and consider selling Destiny Udogie amid growing interest from Inter Milan.
Tottenham Hotspur expert John Wenham has advised the club to consider selling Italian left-back Destiny Udogie rather than allowing Djed Spence to depart this summer. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, the owner of The Lilywhite Rose highlighted Udogie’s persistent injury struggles and Spence’s standout international performances as key reasons for the proposed squad realignment.
Addressing the growing transfer speculation surrounding Tottenham’s full-back department, Wenham stated that 25-year-old Spence has earned the right to remain a central figure in North London following his performances for England at the World Cup.
“Based on what he’s done for England, he should be our starting left-back. You’d have Pedro Porro on the left, you’d have Djed on the right, and Andy Robertson also on the left, and it would be Udogie that I’d look to move on.”
“I think Udogie is a good player, but he is always injured. Personally, I don’t think Spence should be being sold, and I’d rather the Italian left than Spence.”
Wenham also dismissed interest from Everton regarding Spence, noting that the Toffees are unlikely to make a realistic financial offer given their historical spending patterns in that position.
A primary driver behind Wenham’s stance is squad availability. While Udogie’s quality remains undisputed, the Italian international was restricted to just 20 Premier League appearances last season due to recurring fitness issues.
In contrast, Spence featured 30 times in the league, showcasing reliable durability across multiple tactical roles. His strong display on the international stage with England during the World Cup has further cemented his value, demonstrating that he can compete at the highest level.
Comparing the Underlying Statistical Profiles
When examining the underlying performance metrics between the two players, there is very little separating their defensive contributions, making Spence’s superior availability a decisive factor for the club:
- League Availability: Spence accumulated 30 Premier League appearances compared to just 20 for Udogie.
With minimal variance across underlying defensive metrics, Spence’s higher appearance count provides Tottenham with much-needed stability. As head coach Roberto De Zerbi continues shaping his defense for the upcoming campaign, selling Udogie to a suitor like Inter Milan could allow Spurs to secure substantial funds while keeping a proven, versatile defender in Spence.
