‘I just told him’: James Maddison shares his six-word message to Djed Spence before Tottenham win tonight | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder James Maddison has revealed what he told Djed Spence before the match against Southampton.

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham eased past Southampton 5-0 at St Mary’s in the Premier League on Sunday evening.

Maddison scored two goals in the first half for Spurs.

Spence provided the assist for Maddison’s first goal. The Tottenham right-back found his teammate with a clever pass.

It was Spence’s first start in the Premier League for Spurs this season, and Maddison was impressed.

James Maddison’s simple but encouraging message to Djed Spence

While praising the 24-year-old full-back for being patient, Maddison revealed the simple but effective message he gave to him before the match.

Maddison said about Spence on TNT Sports 1 (December 15, 2024, 9.05 pm): “He has been patient and he’s a great lad.

“Djed is quite a laidback character, so I don’t think he needed too much of a pep talk. I just told him before, ‘Go and do what you do’.

“I think he got the ball and managed to wriggle away like he does, which he is very good at.

And that’s a run that I have been working on for years, you know, that left pocket run in behind the defence.”

Impressive performance from Djed Spence

Spence has had a tough time at Tottenham since his move from Middlesbrough in 2022. He has had loan spells at Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa in recent years.

The English right-back gave a good account of himself against Southampton and will have surely impressed Spurs manager Postecoglou.

Not only did Spence set up the first goal for Tottenham, but he was also involved in the second one. He switched to the left when Destiny Udogie came off.

According to WhoScored, Spence took one shot and played two key passes against Southampton. The Tottenham full-back had a 95.4 percent pass accuracy and won one header.

Spence took 81 touches and attempted one dribble. He also made three tackles, one interception and two clearances.