Leeds United: Djed Spence sent back to Spurs
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00:00 Finally for today, one player who perhaps is not in the headlines for a good reason is Jed Spence.
00:06 We've chatted on these videos before about him coming back into the side and what he could bring to Leeds United,
00:12 but that is all out the window now because he's been sent back to Tottenham and who knows what will happen from that point.
00:18 Some are saying he needs replacing despite the fact that he didn't actually play many games for Leeds,
00:23 but just what was the situation and why has he been sent back and what do Leeds do next?
00:30 Well, I think it was a big surprise, obviously. You're right, he hasn't played many minutes, but basically he's been injured really.
00:36 He sort of came on, I think it was at the Huddersfield game towards the end, when he had eight minutes at the end,
00:41 he looked absolutely brilliant and then he got injured and I think everybody knows how much of a talent he is.
00:46 Obviously, that injury held him back, but he's been back recently and back in the mix,
00:50 albeit playing on the other side of the defence because obviously Archie Gray has more or less been holding down the right back spot.
00:56 But yeah, then obviously news broke that basically he was heading back to Tottenham.
00:59 I don't think anybody really knew what had happened there, but to all extents and purposes, Leeds have exercised the option to send him back.
01:05 And obviously, Daniel Farke was asked in massive depth about that at his press conference that followed it.
01:09 And he was very, very diplomatic in his answer and stuff and didn't really want to slam a player as such.
01:14 But it was quite clear that basically something was untoward there in terms of he talked about sort of like fitting into the group
01:19 and professionalism and this, that and the other. So, for whatever reason, he's no longer here.
01:23 And obviously, Leeds have lost a good player.
01:25 But I mean, it has always been a big thing at Leeds in recent years, going back all the way to Bielsa, really,
01:30 in terms of having to tick every box at Leeds, not just in terms of a footballer, but work ethic and the group and this, that and the other and stuff, which is important.
01:38 So, yeah, that's it now. And you wish him all the best.
01:40 Obviously, if he can sort of unlock everything and get it clicking, then he's a fantastic player.
01:44 He's still young and he could still reach somewhere near the top.
01:47 There's no doubt about that, but it won't be at Leeds.
01:49 Obviously, he's gone back and you're quite right.
01:51 Obviously, now the big question is, well, what we're going to do instead?
01:53 So, the natural thought is, well, we'll get somebody else in to replace him.
01:57 But Daniel Farker sort of seems quite relaxed about it.
01:59 He sort of said, you know, we've got lots of options at the moment at fullback.
02:02 And I would agree with that. They have got lots of options at fullback, but that's if everybody's fit.
02:06 And as you know, Daniel, that's not always the case and stuff.
02:08 So, and not only is it a case of everybody fit, you're also looking at players in those positions that have got injury records.
02:15 You know, obviously, Sam Byron, junior Firpo, etc.
02:17 So, if everyone stays fit, yeah, then obviously they'll probably be all right.
02:20 But there's all sorts of like question marks because obviously, Luke Ayling's been linked with Middlesbrough and whatever.
02:24 Will he still be here? Byron will hopefully be back soon, but then he's got to stay fit.
02:28 Firpo's got to stay fit and also stay in form.
02:31 And then Shackleton's obviously the other option as well there.
02:33 And then you sort of like that's Archie Gray's obviously holding down the right back spot, but you'd probably rather see him in midfield.
02:39 So, lots of different things to consider.
02:42 I personally think it would be a good idea to get somebody else in, you know, right back or left back, someone who can play both positions basically.
02:49 But that said, I don't think they won't go in rushing just by bringing someone in for the sake of it.
02:53 There was talk of Connor Roberts at Burnley, but whether that happens, I mean, you know, you can't really see him going from there.
02:58 So, yeah, we'll wait and see what happens with that.
03:00 I certainly think that's what they could do with.
03:02 It does sound like basically that if they're going to do anything, it will be loans.
03:06 I think there's like three loan spaces at Leeds now.
03:08 So, that'll probably be the way it goes.
03:10 So, there's no doubt that fullback's the main place to look at.
03:13 The other one really is number 10, which we've been saying when transfer windows come around for like years really about getting another number 10 at Leeds.
03:22 And pretty much all the way back to Pablo Hernandez, you know, who's never really properly, I suppose, been replaced.
03:27 I mean, it's not easy to replace someone like that.
03:29 But yeah, if there's a number 10, then great.
03:31 Fabio Carvalho is obviously looked at, but he's already moved on now.
03:36 So, probably something that will go right towards the end of the window.
03:38 But the number 10 position does change a bit because obviously if Bamford's going to be in that form and playing as nine and Routier starts to really get in the groove at 10,
03:45 then you might be all right because you've obviously still got Pirro there and there's lots of other attacking players.
03:49 So, they're the two main things.
03:51 But I would say almost just, well, probably more important than both of those things is hold on to what you've got as well, Daniel, to be honest,
03:59 because it's all very well people saying we want this and we want that and hopefully Leeds will strengthen.
04:03 But there's no doubt whatsoever, you can't hide from the fact that big teams are going to be looking at Leeds' players.
04:09 And one player stands out by a mile on that, which is Christendom's Joe Somerville because of his goals and assists.
04:14 Although, to be honest, because of his age, Archie Gray won't be far behind.
04:17 So, they've got to hold on to what they've got.
04:20 Personally, I would say try and hold on to what you've got, get a full back in.
04:23 And then if you can get a number 10 in, ideally, then do it.
04:25 But yeah, it'll probably go right down to the wire.
04:27 I think you're probably looking at loans if that happens.
04:29 But yeah, that's where we're at at the minute.
04:31 As I say, I was surprised with Jeff Spence and now I think injuries is really key to Leeds' second half of the season.
04:36 season.