Why Djed Spence would be a useful signing for Wolves
According to TeamTalk (h/t Hartlepool Mail), Wolves are among the many Premier League clubs who have kept tabs on Djed Spence. The Middlesbrough defender has been the center of speculation ever since making his mark at the club.
Manager Neil Warnock has suggested the defender stay back and continue his development. The other Premier League clubs who have held an interest in the defender are Everton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace.
Wolves still haven’t adequately replaced Matt Doherty
While Wolves did lose one of their stalwarts Matt Doherty to Tottenham this season, they did bring in Nelson Semedo and Ki-Jana Hoever from Barcelona and Liverpool to replace him. Those two might be good signings but they are traditional full-backs.
Wolves implement a formation that uses wing-backs or wide midfielders. The manager relies on them to provide width and attacking contributions so that the back-three can sit deep and not venture forward. Matt Doherty was one such player who fit that role perfectly.
Nuno Espirito Santo has had to tweak the formation this season to a back four at times. This has resulted in a below-par performance of the side on various occasions. They have lacked their usual threat from their previously unique style of play.
Djed Spence can be a direct replacement for Matt Doherty
Playing most of his Middlesbrough career at right-midfield, he is well suited for the role. He can be tagged as an orthodox right-back but he has enjoyed his best football higher up the pitch. Occasionally chipping in with goals and assists, he feels like a natural replacement for Matt Doherty.
The 20-year-old went on to enjoy an impressive breakthrough season in England’s second-tier last term, starting 18 times in the Championship. Spence has continued to play a key role at the Riverside Stadium this term as well, starting 12 out of Middlesbrough’s 23 league fixtures so far (source – Transfermarkt).
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Despite the young age, he has shown that he can perform well in games. A step up from the Championship could prove to be a good challenge for the Boro man. At Wolves, he would be competing with the likes of Semedo and Hoever but with so much talent, one can expect him to make the spot his own.
Spence would be a very good signing for Wolves and an able replacement for Doherty. He is at an age where he can keep developing and under Nuno Espirito Santo.
