By Noel Whelan

27th Jan, 2023 | 12:04pm

Pundit lambasts 'shambolic' Djed Spence development at Tottenham after exit talks revealed

Noel Whelan has claimed Djed Spence’s move to Tottenham has been a “shambles” and the Lilywhites must now face “big question marks” about their recruitment.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted Spurs fans will be baffled by the club’s recruitment in recent windows.

Sources told this site on Thursday (26 January) that Brentford are in advanced talks to sign Tottenham defender Spence.

The Bees are hoping to fend off competition from Crystal Palace and Brighton to sign the right-back on a loan-to-buy deal.

Spence joined Spurs for a reported £20million in the summer but has failed to start a single game – and is now considered surplus to requirements by Antonio Conte.

Both Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal are ahead of the England Under-21 international in the pecking order despite question marks over their futures.

When asked if the transfer policy at Spurs has to come under scrutiny, Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Yes, absolutely.

“When you’re paying out big money for a player who hasn’t even started a game, you have to ask why.

“I’m sure the fans are doing just that.

“Why did they pay £20m for him?

“Conte has been complaining all season about not having the right players, the right wing-backs. Yet Emerson Royal is still playing over Spence.

“It’s been a shambles for that young man and his career.

“It’s a big question mark over the transfer policy at Spurs.”

Tottenham sit fifth in the Premier League after 20 games.

They face Milan in the Champions League knockout stage next month.

In other news, Agbonlahor can’t believe Richarlison latest after what he saw at Tottenham.