Ange Postecoglou played £20m Tottenham man in completely new position vs Barcelona

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou tested youngster Djed Spence in an entirely new position yesterday.

The £20m defender has not enjoyed the best start to life both at Spurs and under his new manager.

Djed Spence was signed last summer after a fantastic campaign at Nottingham Forest, helping them get promoted to the Premier League.

However, Antonio Conte wasn’t a fan of the right wing-back and he spent the second half of last season on loan at Rennes.

The 23-year-old managed 10 appearances in France before picking up an injury that has negatively affected his pre-season preparations.

He was fit enough to travel on Tottenham’s pre-season tour but didn’t play in any of their friendlies.

Ange Postecoglou selected a rotated side against Barcelona yesterday which forced him to play Spence in a new position.

It wasn’t the most successful trial as Spurs went from 2-1 to 4-2 down in the short time he was on the pitch.

Postecoglou tested Spence in new position

Journalist Alasdair Gold was covering the match in Barcelona and said: “Djed Spence and Alfie Devine replace Ivan Perisic and Oliver Skipp. Devine goes into midfield with Spence on the right wing.”

Spence has only ever played as a right-back or right wing-back throughout his career.

Although at Forest he was asked to play a long way up the pitch, being deployed as an out-and-out winger is a different skill.

Spence earned a 5/10 from Football London’s player ratings, and said: “Came on in a right-wing role with Solomon switching to the left and he used the ball well until a late moment when he was tackled up the pitch and Barcelona broke before scoring the winner.”

Being responsible for one of Barcelona’s late goals won’t be how he wants to remember playing against one of the world’s best teams.

It will be interesting to see what position Spence plays in Postecoglou’s squad this season.

Pedro Porro struggled yesterday, while Emerson Royal’s form has been mixed throughout his time at Tottenham.

A report from the Evening Standard has suggested that Spence could be sold this summer.

A loan would make more sense as Spence has clear potential and letting him go 12 months after signing him might be a rash decision.