The moment which could have been reason for Djed Spence’s Leeds United exit

Add as preferred source on Google

Djed Spence is closing in on a move to Serie A side Genoa from Tottenham Hotspur after his loan spell at Leeds United had been cancelled – and Graham Smyth shares why he could have left Leeds.

Spence, 23, has endured a difficult 18 months. Winning the play-off final with Nottingham Forest during 2021-22, the England U21 right-back was considered the best right-sided defender in the second tier.

It earned him a move to Spurs. But under Antonio Conte, he did not play. Just six Spurs outings at senior level. He went to Rennes on loan in January alongside Joe Rodon, but continued to struggle in France.

In the summer, Leeds won the race to land the player on loan for 23-24. He made his debut as a sub in the 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday – but then picked up an injury in training. Out for three months.

Before his loan was cancelled last week, Spence had managed just seven senior outings for Leeds. It came out of the blue that Leeds had opted to cancel his loan. Now, he is set to have a medical at Genoa.

Graham Smyth shares reason Djed Spence might have left Leeds

It was Leeds’ decision to cancel the loan. There have been murmurs about attitude on social media and that that could be the reason to why his loan at Leeds ended. Farke did comment on his loan ending.

Now, Graham Smyth has told the Inside Elland Road podcast that it could be because of his reason to being subbed in the loss to West Brom. Some say that his reaction was not a good one, even “grumpy”.

“At West Brom when he came off at half-time he was doing a lot of gesticulating and he wanted to speak to whoever when he came off, you might interpret that as grumpy, others interpret that as leadership.

“Other people have suggested that when he came off against West Brom he didn’t take it too well and he didn’t look as though he took it too well, but do you want players to be happy at being substituted?”