Antonio Conte's first comments about Djed Spence didn't give any particular ringing endorsement about Tottenham's new £20million signing.
'Spence is an investment of the club,' said the Italian. 'The club wanted to do it. I said, 'OK, this player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us'. The club decided to buy him.'
The 21-year-old has long been a target for Spurs but Conte was very keen to get over the point that it wasn't his signing - already putting Spence on the backfoot upon his arrival at the Premier League club.