Arsenal transfer target Djed Spence reveals Premier League dream after helping Nottingham Forest KO Gunners in FA Cup
DJED SPENCE is targeting Premier League football next season.
The Middlesbrough right-back has shone on loan at Nottingham Forest this term, particularly catching the eye in the FA Cup victories over Arsenal and Leicester.
Spence’s fabulous season continued on Tuesday night as he made his England Under-21 debut as a second-half substitute in the 3-0 win in Albania.
A move to the top flight looks likely in the summer, given the Gunners are keen and there was even talk of Tottenham having bids rejected on deadline day in January.
Spence, 21, said: “I always want to push myself and play with the best players and best team. Of course it’s an ambition of mine to play in the Premier League.
“It’s been a good season. The manager (at Forest, Steve Cooper) who has come in has done well with the group of players and we all believe in what he’s come here to do.
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“I try to stay level-headed. At the end of the day, I’m just here to enjoy my football. I need to stay focused, have tunnel vision and play well on the pitch.
“It’s a big thing for me and my family to make my England Under-21 debut. It’s a big step in my career and I just want to keep going forward.”
Spence’s emergence has further boosted England’s options at right-back, which was already well-stocked.
Just in this Under-21s squad alone, Spence faces competition from Tino Livramento, Ben Johnson and Tariq Lamptey, who had to pull out through injury.
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And that is before you consider the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Co in the seniors.
But Under-21s boss Lee Carsley has been impressed with what he has seen from former Fulham academy player Spence.
Carsley said: “Djed’s a player that I often go and watch.
“The season he’s having at Forest, it’s really important he continues doing well and pushing himself. We are really blessed in that position with a lot of good right-backs.
“I’ve been impressed with Djed on and off the pitch. He’s a nice kid, he’s really good to talk to. Coops is obviously doing a good job with him at Forest.
“He’s another one that we’ve now blooded and got a cap. I wouldn’t think twice about putting him in.”
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Arsenal legend Ian Wright branded Spence’s performance in Forest’s 1-0 cup win over Gunners in January as one of the best right-back displays he had seen in a long while.
Spence added: “Coming from a player like Ian, it means a lot for him to say that. I just want to keep improving and show everyone what I can do on the pitch.”