Tottenham defender Djed Spence revealed it is not just him in the firing line of England boss Thomas Tuchel after clips of him getting told off in training went viral.
The Tottenham full-back was in Tuchel’s bad books when he made a slow start to an open training session on Saturday.
Tuchel was heard shouting “Djed, Djed, Djed wake up! Wake up!” after the player hesitated during a passing drill. But Spence said this was par for the course for the “very detailed” boss.
“It’s normal. He’s a great manager. He wants the best from his players,” Spence told talkSPORT. “He demands high standards and for this tournament, we need to be ready, we need to be on it.
“Every session needs to be of the highest quality. That’s what he demands. It’s good. I wouldn’t be the only one he says it too. It’s part of the game.
“I think he’s a great manager, he’s a great guy. Very detailed in what he wants to do. I’ve got great respect for him.
“It’s like what he always says, we’re building a family, we’ve built a brotherhood within the team, everyone has one dream, one brain.
“I think everyone is on the same path. We can do special things. I think he’s built that environment with this squad.”
You scored
out of 20
Spence made his World Cup debut in the opening game against Croatia on Wednesday where he came on and impressed at right-back.
Back at home, Spurs have invested quickly in defence to increase the competition for the Englishman, bringing in Andrew Robertson at left-back and Marcos Senesi, who can play anywhere across the back four.
Spence’s versatility to play on either flank should stand him in good stead to receive plenty of minutes under Roberto De Zerbi however, whose high-discipline training methods are not dissimilar to Tuchel’s.
Now, the Lilywhites are looking at another versatile player who can play on both flanks, hoping to raid a relegated rival.
Tottenham to rival PSG for Netherlands winger
Indeed, according to reports in France via Sport Witness, Tottenham have ‘officially joined the fray’ to sign West Ham United star Crysencio Summerville.
The French press are reporting on the Netherlands international’s future due to his links to Paris Saint-Germain, with the Ligue 1 champions already holding talks with the Hammers over both Summerville and Mateus Fernandes.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have told interested teams they will have to fork out €50m (£43m) to sign the winger, who can play on either side, up front or even as a number ten.
Summerville has scored eight times and provided seven assists in 56 appearances for the Hammers, and like Fernandes is expected to be on the move after their relegation to the Championship.
Fabrizio Romano: £85m player willing to pick Tottenham ahead of Man Utd and Real Madrid
Spurs have been the busiest side in the Premier League so far in the summer transfer window.
He has been one of the stars of the World Cup so far, scoring twice and providing an assist in two games out in North America, with the Netherlands certain to advance to the knockout stages.
Once their participation in the tournament ends talks will begin over the 24 year-old’s future, and the report claims Spurs are ‘already poised to pounce’, but will need to convince him to join a team without European football on offer.
Summerville was praised heavily for his form during the second of the last season, with FC Como scout Ben Mattinson labelling him a ‘1v1 monster’ and ‘crazy agile’ on the ball.
His West Ham teammate, Fernandes, is reportedly also ready to agree personal terms to join Tottenham.
