Conte says he “shattered my confidence” early in Tottenham, and “I had one conversation with him.”
DJED SPENCE says former Tottenham boss Antonio Conte “shatters” his confidence and has been having “one conversation” with the Italians while in charge.
Right-back Spence joined the Spurs in 2022 on a £20 million deal from Middlesbrough, but then manager Conte barely played him.
The 24-year-old has spent time lending in Rennes, Leeds and Genoa since his arrival in North London, but has invaded the side of Unspost Kogle this season and is regularly featured in both full-back positions.
Spence: “I had one conversation with Conte.”
Speaking of his time under Conte, Spence said Rio Ferdinand present Podcast: “It wasn’t a good feeling. Especially since I came to the club at a high price, I was confident, bustling, had a great season and won the promotion.
“It was like hitting a brick wall. It shattered my confidence a little. I’m young, I’m not really good to hear.
“I knew it was trash back then. That wasn’t a good feeling. I went into the club (blow my cheeks off and shrugged), “What am I doing?”
He added:
“Even if you did the right thing, you say, ‘Did I do the right thing?” because he’s not really a complimentary man.
“You probably had a conversation with him.”
DJED SPENCE: “I want to play in the UK” 🏴 ٠�� ٠ ٠ ٠ ٥ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠ ٠
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CC: @riofery5, @djedspence, @joulbeya pic.twitter.com/pyeu5uczdc
– Rio Ferdinand Presents (@fiveuk) March 24, 2025
Spence: “I was too humble.”
Spence also discussed the turning points of his Spurs career this season.
“I think I was a victim of being too humble,” he said. “You think that things happen without saying anything, but sometimes you have to express yourself.
“In my first year at Tottenham, I feel like I have a bit of respect for the players and the surroundings because I’m Tottenham. I came from the forest. I went to the Premier League, top six clubs and thought, ‘This is big.’
“I feel like I gave them too much respect.
“When I went there, I saw players with big names like Harry Kane and Sonny (Heung Min’s son), and I’m like, ‘I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.’
“But that was probably my biggest mistake.
Spence replied when his attitude changed. “I think this season is probably the beginning of the year.
“I think it’s going to happen naturally. I don’t have time to waste right now. I have to get it, that’s just the time to click.”