It has today, Thursday the 6th of March, been confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence has been nominated for the February player of the month award, as recognition for his top class performances during that time.
Djed Spence nominated for Premier League player of the month award
The 24-year old joins Beto of Everton, Jean-Phillipe Mateta of Crystal Palace, Yankuba Minteh of Brighton and Hove Albion, as well as Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool, as the six nominees.
You would be hard pressed to find an argument against this being well deserved for Spence - who was consistently great throughout February. He was brilliant on and off the ball against Brentford and Manchester United, before scoring his first goal in Spurs colours against Ipswich Town. He was a sub in the defeat to Manchester City, but still created a presentable opportunity for Pape Sarr very soon after his introduction.
In the win at Brentford, the defender recorded; five clearances (including one off the line), one blocked shot, one interception, four tackles, 7/10 ground duels won, 67 touches, two chances created, and 3/3 successful dribbles.
Then, in the win over United, he was perhaps even better, where he recorded; one clearance, two blocked shots, two tackles, 88 touches, 7/8 ground duels, two fouls drawn, one shot on target, and 3/4 successful dribbles.
All of this has been whilst playing as a left-back. Even when he started as a right-back in the win over Ipswich, his goal came after moving over to left-back, when Pedro Porro replaced Destiny Udogie in the second half. It is a serious testament to Spence that he has been able to play so consistently well in an unfamiliar position.
The good news could get even better for him too. Yesterday, we aggregated how Newcastle United left-back, Lewis Hall, is to miss the rest of the season with surgery. No doubt about it, he is the biggest threat to Spence in the England side. Now he is unavailable for the World Cup qualifiers, we could well see the Spurs man called up.
Realistically, it felt like Spence could get a call up regardless of Hall's fitness, but there is now perhaps scope for him to even start. It is a shame that, although he is set to return before the break - that his injury means he would be unlikely to be joined with Spurs team mate Dominic Solanke - though you never know.
To finish off, Ange Postecoglou has been nominated for the Premier League manager of the month award, as Spurs picked up 9/12 points during February.