Neil Warnock insists he never doubted Djed Spence's ability but his attitude was a problem during their time together at Middlesbrough.
It hasn’t been plain sailing for the Tottenham defender since his time on Teesside, however his call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad appears to have quashed any criticism regarding his overall mindset.
Spence was loaned to Nottingham Forest in 2021 off the back of the then Middlesbrough boss’ comments regarding his potential career trajectory.
“There are not many players where you can say it's all up to them personally how far they go – it's what's between the ears,” said Warnock at the time. “He could be playing at a top club in England or in non-league in five years, I don't know.”
His loan spell at Forest ended in jubilation with the Midlands club securing promotion to the Premier League after winning the Championship play-off final.
In the aftermath of Forest’s triumph, Spence hit back with a brazen tweet on X, welcoming Warnock to the social media platform with a picture of himself celebrating in the Wembley dressing room with the trophy and a cigar.
Now, speaking ahead of what could be his senior debut, Spence said: “I wouldn't say I have a list (of doubters) or anything. But I do have a mental note of people who doubted me, for sure, and it does feel good to prove them wrong.”
Warnock was handed the opportunity to respond to Spence on talkSPORT Breakfast on Thursday morning and said he never doubted the 25-year-old's talent.
“Nobody’s ever doubted his ability. His ability is fantastic, he’s got legs, he’s quick, he can go past people, he’s not bad at 1v1 defending,” Warnock said.
“I never doubted him on the field, it was off the field.”
Asked to elaborate on his claims, Warnock refused, adding: "It's not right to go into everything but his attitude wasn’t right for me.
“Some things off the field happen which I didn’t enjoy and I spoke to him about it a couple of times.
“I don’t think he was for changing. I think he thought I was probably just barking up the tree.”
Spence’s international call-up caps a monumental turnaround for him after being sent out on loan three times by Spurs shortly after his £20million arrival from Middlesbrough in 2022.
Upon landing in north London, then Spurs boss Antonio Conte was quick to banish him by referring to his acquisition as an 'investment of the club'.
Spells with Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa followed in a sequence of events that helped prepare Spence to later establish himself as a first-team regular at Tottenham.
“You can’t say Daniel Farke, myself and [Antonio] Conte were all wrong,” Warnock added.
“I said to him: ‘You need to go home and look in the mirror’. He couldn’t continue doing things off the field. He had to concentrate on the field on what he’s good at.
“He went to Forest and did well. He didn’t do so well at Tottenham, I know Conte didn’t play him much.
“I was talking with Nick Montgomery who was with Ange [Postecoglou] and he said his attitude wasn’t very good.
“But he came back last year and he was superb in training. He said he looked like a changed lad and looked like he’d matured a little bit.
“They played him when Destiny Udogie got injured and he never looked back after that.”
Warnock continued: “His ability has never been in doubt but I think you’ve got to be a little bit more humble than what he was.
“It was in the Covid time when I had him. There were one or two things in the local area that I wasn’t happy about.
“We’ve all got to learn. Now, he’s letting his ability do the talking and not his cigars!”
Spence to make England history
Meanwhile, Spence has spoken of his pride at the prospect of becoming the first Muslim to represent the England football team.
The Tottenham defender is set to make history this weekend if he is handed his Three Lions debut in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Wembley.
He is fully aware of the significance of what he could soon achieve and hopes his rise to the senior squad can help inspire future generations.
“It's amazing,” Spence said. “I did see it and I was surprised, really. The first ever. It's a big thing for me, my faith. It's just amazing. I don't have the words.”
Spence regularly posts about his faith on social media and credits that connection with his ability to get through the dark moments in his career.
"I pray a lot, I give gratitude to God,” Spence added. “In the toughest moments of my life, the darkest moments, I've always believed that God has always been by my side. It's a big thing for me, my faith."
Ahead of what could be a monumental weekend for the Europa League winner, Spence, whose father is from Jamaica and mother from Kenya, says he doesn’t feel any pressure at the possibility of becoming a trailblazer.
“I just play football with a smile on my face,” he said. “Be happy, and the rest will take care of itself.
“If I can do it, you can do it. Not just Muslim kids, any child of any faith. Put your mind to something and you can do it.”