Djed Spence's First Steps at Inter: Waiting for Debut

Djed Spence finally stepped onto the grass at Inter’s training ground this week, almost a month after his high-profile move from Tottenham Hotspur – but his wait for a San Siro debut looks set to continue.

First steps in Nerazzurri colours

Club photographers captured Spence working with the group on Thursday, his first full session outdoors since completing his €35m summer transfer. Until now, the England international had been limited to work away from the main pitch.

The 26-year-old arrived in Milan on the back of a draining summer. He went deep into the World Cup with England, reaching the semi-finals, and Inter granted him an extended break before reporting for club duty.

When he did return, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Spence was carrying a minor physical issue, one that kept him out of the final stretch of pre-season and slowed his integration into Simone Inzaghi’s squad. It is the main reason he has yet to feature in a competitive game.

The contrast is obvious. Another member of England’s World Cup squad, John Stones, has already played three times since his own move to San Siro earlier in the window. Spence, by comparison, is still waiting for his first minute.

Inter not rushing the timeline

Inter host Udinese on Monday night in Serie A, and on paper Spence has three more days of work to prove his readiness. The club, though, are keeping their foot off the accelerator.

SportMediaset reports that the Nerazzurri hierarchy have no intention of rushing him back just to satisfy curiosity or justify the fee. The priority is to have him fully fit and properly integrated, not simply available.

A more realistic target has already been marked in the calendar. According to the same outlet, Inter’s first match after the international break – at home to Parma on October 10 – is the date pencilled in for Spence’s debut.

For now, the San Siro crowd will have to wait. Spence is finally on the grass. The next step is earning his place under the lights.