LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Djed Spence of Middlesbrough during the FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 14, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
According to Teamtalk (h/t Birmingham Mail), Wolves could look to move for Djed Spence in the January transfer window. The report also states that Middlesbrough are finding it difficult to hold onto their asset. Many Premier League clubs are vying for the player despite his contract renewal earlier in the year.
Djed Spence rose through the youth system at Fulham and represented the Cottagers at U-18 and U-23 levels before completing a move to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2018. He initially featured for Boro’s reserve side at the Premier League 2 level before making his first-team breakthrough under former manager Jonathan Woodgate during the 2019-20 campaign.
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 five out of Middlesbrough’s nine opening league fixtures so far (source – Transfermarkt).
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.
Djed Spence comes close too. 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.
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 Espiritio Santo.
