rewrite this title He’s outperforming Spence: Spurs may rue letting Conte signing leave for £0

Tottenham Hotspur have endured a horrific injury crisis throughout the 2024/25 campaign, massively restricting Ange Postecoglou from success in his second season at the helm.

The Lilywhites have often been depleted in numerous key areas, resulting in their lowly Premier League standing, which has seen them drop to 12th place – 11 points off the top four with just 12 games to go.

However, multiple players have started to make their comebacks in recent weeks, helping the Aussie end the campaign strongly after their mid-season slump.

Spurs have claimed back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Ipswich Town in the last week, with the likes of Brennan Johnson and James Maddison playing key roles since their return to fitness.

However, the injury issues have allowed one player to stake his claim for a starting role, shining with regular minutes after previously being left out in the cold by Postecoglou.

Djed Spence’s stats for Spurs in 2024/25

Back in the summer of 2022, Spurs completed a £20m deal to sign full-back Djed Spence from Middlesbrough, with then-boss Antonio Conte confirming he was a signing made by the hierarchy.

He struggled to make an immediate impact in North London, making just six appearances before loan spells with Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa – also failing to star during his respective stints.

However, the injuries at the back presented the 24-year-old with a chance in the first team, taking his opportunity with both hands now appearing to be a key member of Ange’s backline.

The Englishman has registered two goals and two assists in all competitions throughout 2024/25, netting his first Premier League goal yesterday – fully deserved given his recent form at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Despite his recent run in the side, he’s still been outperformed by one player who also struggled to settle into life in North London, before starring after his eventual departure.

The former Spurs ace who’s outperformed Spence in 2024/25

Over the years, the club have made some questionable dealings in the transfer market as they try to close the gap to the top four places and secure Champions League football.

Some have impressed in the first team, with others unable to make the desired impact, with Spence in the latter category until his recent run of games under the Aussie.

Ivan Perišić was a high-profile addition back in the summer of 2022, joining the Lilywhites on a free transfer under Antonio Conte after his release from Inter Milan a couple of months prior.

The Croatian made 44 appearances during his first season at the club, notching one goal and 12 assists, often being the orchestrator with his two-footed set-piece ability.

However, he would tear his ACL in the early stages of 2023/24, registering just six appearances, before moving to Hajduk Split on a free transfer after a loan spell between January and the summer.

Fast-forward to the present day, the 36-year-old is still going strong in Europe, moving to PSV Eindhoven in September and playing a vital role in their Champions League success.

Perisic, who has previously been dubbed “sensational” by journalist Henry Winter, has registered 13 combined goals and assists, a tally Spence has been unable to match to date.

However, when comparing the underlying stats between the pair, the Croatian has trumped the Englishman in various key areas, demonstrating his talents despite his age.

Perisic has thrived in attacking areas, creating more chances and completing more crosses than Spence, highlighting the impact he possesses in the final third.

During his time in North London, the former Inter star often featured at left-back, returning to his more familiar midfield role in the Netherlands, but still managing to better the current Spurs ace for blocks made per 90 in 2024/25.

There’s no denying that Spence has been phenomenal in recent months, potentially earning himself an England call-up as a result of his stellar showings under Postecoglou.

However, Perisic has done superbly well to resurrect his career after his lack of minutes in his second season in England, with his form for PSV once again showcasing his talent despite coming to the back end of his career.