A reputed Italian journalist has come down hard on Tottenham’s summer business, particularly the club’s decision to let Djed Spence leave.

Spurs completed a full overhaul of the squad during the summer window after two successive 17th-placed finishes, and spent huge sums doing so.

The Lilywhites are already being criticised for many of the players they let go this year, particularly two youngsters who had barely been given a chance in the first team yet.

Spurs have been accused of downgrading by swapping Luka Vuskovic for Jan Paul van Hecke, while an increasing number of voices are now suggesting that Tottenham made a big blunder by selling Will Lankshear to Middlesbrough.

Tottenham told they should have kept Djed Spence

Djed Spence is now starting to make his mark at Inter Milan after an injury-hit start to the season, with the full-back continuing from where he left off for England at the World Cup.

Journalist Massimo Marianella is far from surprised by how well the 26-year-old is now doing at the San Siro, insisting that the Lilywhites made an error by selling the player to the Nerazzurri for just £30m.

Marianella told Sky Italia (as relayed by FCInter1908): “Of the English trio, I said some time ago that Spence was the player Inter would have enjoyed the most. It took him a while because he arrived with problems and got injured. Given his qualities, on both flanks, defensively, but also when he pushes forward, he can make a huge difference in Italy.”

“In my opinion, Inter have signed a great player. I was very surprised that Tottenham let him go for money in a summer when Tottenham wasted money everywhere. I would have kept this guy. A mistake from Tottenham, a great decision by Inter, who are giving themselves and our league an excellent player.”

D. Spence v Pedro Porro

Inter – UEFA Champions League (2026 – 2027), Inter – Serie A (2026 – 2027), Tottenham – League Cup (2026 – 2027), Tottenham – Premier League (2026 – 2027)

Image credit: @thefrederikkejensen / Instagram

Image credit: @thefrederikkejensen / Instagram

Roberto De Zerbi has clarified why Spurs had to sell Spence

We know that Tottenham would have kept Spence at the club if they could have, and were forced into the decision to sell him due to the player’s demands.

Roberto De Zerbi admitted that the full-back was seeking guarantees of regular starts, which he could not promise to any player in the squad.

When the defender completed his move to Inter back in August, the Spurs boss said: “First of all, I’m really disappointed with Djed, because I love him, we have a great relationship, he’s a very good guy, he’s a very important player, but in the end I have to respect, if he wants to play 38 games.

“I can’t give my word, any guarantee for the players, especially if we are building a big competition inside of the squad. Right-back is, I think in this moment, one, maybe the best, maybe one of the three best right backs in the world [in Pedro Porro].”