As gambles go, Djed Spence didn’t look like a big one. Not compared to many of the speculative punts taken under Victor Orta’s tenure. Orta acted as if he was entirely consumed by the desire to be seen as a visionary un-earther of talent, scouting and recruiting from foreign leagues for players he felt could adapt but also increase in value. Unfortunately this resulted in a number of new faces that were either too far from the level we needed or required too long to adapt to the English game. Leeds, as ever, needed immediate impact and they needed it yesterday. The cry from fans on social media was for the club to stop gambling and recruit proven talent. Bodies that understand both the rigours of the English game but also how to succeed at this level. Orta is gone and perhaps the club have heard.

Djed Spence has the kind of CV that made him a no-brainer for Leeds. Available on loan from Tottenham, therefore requiring minimal outlay, his involvement in Nottingham Forest’s promotion campaign in 2021/22 was not only consistent (playing around forty games) but impressive. For his efforts he was featured in both the PFA and EFL Championship team of the season awards. He attempted the third most dribbles of any player in the league and completed the fifth most. Here was a proven, award-winning attacking full-back for the division Leeds are trying to escape. With Luke Ayling’s career on the downward slope as father time finally catches up with him, Leeds wanted a forward-thinking full-back to provide overlapping width in attack. Spence — on paper — was a perfect, low-risk choice.

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