Neil Warnock makes Middlesbrough player claim ahead of potential Tottenham move | OneFootball

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Football League World

·30 June 2022

Neil Warnock makes Middlesbrough player claim ahead of potential Tottenham move

Article image:Neil Warnock makes Middlesbrough player claim ahead of potential Tottenham move

Neil Warnock has admitted that he sent Djed Spence a warning about how his career could play out before he went on loan to Nottingham Forest.

The full back enjoyed a successful stint at the City Ground, playing a crucial role in helping Steve Cooper’s side secure promotion to the Premier League.


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Meanwhile, Middlesbrough finished 7th under Chris Wilder, with Warnock having been dismissed in October last year.

The 73-year old also believes that the exciting youngster’s best position is as a wing back in a more advanced role and that he would struggle in a back four in a top flight team.

This comes amid speculation linking the player with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking on Talksport, the former Boro boss claims he told Spence that he could end up playing in a non-league side before he ended up at Forest.

“I had a few run-ins with Djed, to be honest, and a few words were said,” said Warnock.

“I was honest with him and told him, ‘you could be playing for Bromley next year, or you could be in the Premier League’, so fair play to the lad.

“He needs to be going forward, he’s got to be in that wing-back role. I don’t really think he can play in a back four in the Premier League.”

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Middlesbrough are reportedly holding out on a minimum fee of £15 million before agreeing to any potential sale for Spence.

Forest were believed to be interested in retaining the defender’s services beyond the summer, but have lost ground to Spurs in the race to capture his signature, albeit the club is still hoping they can sign the player if his move to North London collapses.

The Verdict

Warnock got the future of Spence spectacularly wrong, with the defender now destined to play Premier League football next season.

He was one of the Championship’s best players while competing with Forest, and could have been a useful asset for Boro in their promotion bid.

At the very least, the team still managed quite well without him in that position and could now earn a significant transfer fee this summer off the back of his performances for the Reds.

That transfer sum could prove vital if it is used to successfully reinforce Wilder’s squad ahead of the upcoming season.

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