Roberto De Zerbi has urged the 25yo to stay at Tottenham but admitted the defender is considering his future amid transfer interest.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has expressed a clear desire to keep Djed Spence at the club, though he has acknowledged that the 25-year-old defender is currently assessing his options amidst growing transfer interest.
According to reporting from Nizaar Kinsella shared by The Spurs Express on X, De Zerbi is actively attempting to persuade the England international to remain in North London. Spence’s stock rose significantly following an impressive World Cup campaign with Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad, attracting concrete inquiries from Serie A heavyweights Inter Milan and Premier League outfit Everton.
De Zerbi’s Stance on Player Commitment
Speaking to journalists in Australia following Tottenham’s pre-season tour fixture against Sydney FC, De Zerbi addressed the situation with typical candor. Reiterating the same principle he applied to Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall, the Italian manager emphasized that while he values Spence’s unique skill set, he will not retain any squad member who does not feel completely invested in the club’s direction:
“I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas. I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don’t want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave.”
De Zerbi’s philosophy rests on mutual commitment. While he appreciates Spence’s rare recovery speed, physical presence, and ability to cover both full-back flanks, De Zerbi expects all squad members to accept healthy internal competition alongside established starters like Pedro Porro.
Spence’s future has become a central talking point following a breakout summer on the international stage. The full-back featured in all eight of England’s matches during their bronze-medal World Cup run, demonstrating exceptional versatility across left and right defensive positions while ranking among the tournament’s top performers for tackles and interceptions.
With four years remaining on the long-term extension Spence signed last year, Tottenham hold a strong negotiating position. Replacing a homegrown defender of Spence’s tactical flexibility would likely require a substantial financial outlay in today’s market, leading De Zerbi to prefer resolving the situation internally rather than sanctioning a sale.
As Tottenham complete their pre-season schedule before returning to Hotspur Way, discussions between Spence and De Zerbi will decide whether the defender remains a crucial fixture in Spurs’ backline for the upcoming campaign or seeks guaranteed starting minutes elsewhere.
