Tottenham sold Djed Spence permanently to Inter Milan in the summer. The London side are now being criticised for their transfer decision.

The versatile defender was a star for England at the World Cup over the summer. This came after he was one of the better players in the last few games of the previous campaign for Spurs.

Despite that, Tottenham parted ways for €30m, which is proving to be a very good deal for the Nerazzurri.

Spence has impressed in his first few games, doing well against Como at the weekend. Even in their Champions League tie in midweek, he was a standout player and earned the Man of the Match award.

Now, excitement around the Englishman is quickly growing in Italy.

Spurs decision slammed

Journalist Massimo Marianella spoke to Sky Italia about some of Inter’s best performers in the last few games. He handpicked Spence as a key contender and had a lot to say about the former Tottenham man.

He expressed belief that Spence has the ability to make a mark in Serie A.

Marianella said – via 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.”

Criticism also landed on Tottenham’s door, as the pundit believes he shouldn’t have been sold so easily.

“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.”

He also branded the deal as a blatant error from Spurs.

“A mistake from Tottenham, a great decision by Inter, who are giving themselves and our league an excellent player.”

Player profile suits Inter’s needs

The deal was very clever from Inter, who had missed out on several wing-back targets before Spence. The Englishman can now turn into the best deal they could’ve done, because of his athletic abilities and his versatility.

Cristian Chivu’s system thrives on those traits, as it focuses on high-intensity and ability to cover ground. Spence really suits that and everything is coming together well.

Tottenham never really had a clear plan for him and that was evident in his last two seasons. While he did play often, his strengths never shone through consistently.

But Spurs managed to earn a decent fee and with the player doing well, it seems like a good deal for all parties.

DJED SPENCE Career achievements · Honours and milestones

Achievement	Team	Year / Season
TEAM HONOURS
UEFA Europa League winner	Tottenham Hotspur	2024/25
Championship play-off winner	Nottingham Forest · Loan	2021/22
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
PFA Championship Team of the Year	Nottingham Forest	2021/22
EFL Championship Team of the Season	Nottingham Forest	2021/22
Championship Player of the Month	Nottingham Forest	March 2022
Championship Goal of the Month	Nottingham Forest	March 2022
EFL Young Player of the Month	Middlesbrough	December 2019
EFL Young Player of the Month	Nottingham Forest	March 2022
INTERNATIONAL MILESTONES
Senior England debut	England · 5–0 win against Serbia	9 September 2025
First World Cup appearance	England · Against Croatia	2026
World Cup semi-finalist	England	2026

BREAKTHROUGH SEASON
Spence made 46 appearances and scored three goals during his 2021/22 loan at Nottingham Forest, helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League and earning both PFA and EFL team-of-the-season recognition.

Selected competitive honours, individual awards and international milestones. Championship promotion was achieved through the play-offs, rather than by winning the league title. Friendly trophies are excluded.
Updated: 10 November 2026.

SPORT WITNESS