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By JAPTEJ GHURA Published: 10: 18 AEDT, 22 February 2025 | Updated: 10: 42 AEDT, 22 February 2025 4 View comments Ange Postecoglou has heaped praise on defender Djed Spence, who has enjoyed a renaissance at Tottenham following a difficult start at the club. Once dismissed by former Tottenham boss Antonio Conte as a ‘club signing’, the full back has now started 12 of his side’s last 13 games having previously not made a single start all season. Spence made just four league appearances in his first season at Tottenham following a £20million move from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2022 and spent last season out on loan at Leeds and Genoa. But after returning to the fold in mid-December for the 5-0 victory over Southampton, Spence has established himself as a mainstay of Postecoglou’s side. In fact, his form has been so impressive that Spence is being spoken about as a contender for Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad next month. His manager said: ‘Fair to say in terms of full backs in recent times, his form is as good as anybody’s. And don’t forget he’s not really a left back, he’s a right back. Djed Spence has enjoyed a renaissance at Tottenham, starting 12 of his side’s last 13 games Ange Postecoglou revealed he had put Spence to the test to earn a place in his first team plans ‘I made it difficult for him, I didn’t make it easy for him. It’s not like I said to him, “Djed, you’re here, we love you, stay”. I purposely made it difficult for him because I thought that was going to be the test. ‘To see, like I said earlier in the year when he wasn’t playing and wasn’t part of squads, how was his training? How was he reacting to things? And he never got disengaged, he was always engaged. 'That made an impression on everyone; me, the coaches, his team-mates. And I think from then on it’s just been all about him, and he’s been brilliant. ’ Meanwhile, Tottenham will face Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the last 16 of the Europa League, with the winner advancing to face Eintracht Frankfurt or Ajax in the last eight. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group