Leeds United have not made many bad decisions in the transfer market in recent years, having built a squad that amassed 190 points over two Championship seasons.
However, Daniel Farke had a less settled squad in Leeds’ first year back in the Championship, as he struggled to rebuild the side after their relegation from the Premier League.
Several of the signings that Leeds brought in during Farke’s first summer have gone on to become firm Leeds favourites, with both Joe Rodon and Joel Piroe playing a crucial role in last season’s promotion-winning campaign.
Not every player that Farke brought in was a success, with the likes of Jaidon Anthony, Connor Roberts and Glen Kamara enjoying more mixed fortunes during their time at Elland Road.
But Leeds’ biggest missed opportunity from that era is Djed Spence, who is now preparing to take part in the 2025/26 Champions League after Farke ruthlessly cut short his time with Leeds.
Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk and Djed Spence in conversation during Sunderland v Leeds United - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
What happened to Djed Spence at Leeds United?
With Luke Ayling nearing the end of his time with the club and rising star Archie Gray more suited to a role in midfield, Farke came into the new season with limited options at right-back.
Therefore, the decision to bring in Djed Spence on loan appeared to be a wise one. Spence made a name for himself in the Championship, winning promotion with Nottingham Forest and earning a move to Tottenham Hotspur off the back of his strong form.
Having spent part of the 2022/23 season on loan in France with Stade Rennais, Leeds had high hopes that Spence could recapture his impressive Championship form in Leeds’ promotion bid.
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But it did not work out that way. A knee injury hampered Spence’s progress, and the impressive form of Gray saw him feature in an unfamiliar role at left-back. Ultimately, Spence was limited to seven appearances on loan with Leeds before his season-long deal was cut short.
Speaking at the time, via Teeside Live, Farke explained that Spence had failed to meet his expectations at Leeds, stating: “It’s important, the potential and the quality of the player, but also it’s professionalism, it’s discipline, it’s workload on and off the pitch. And also the soft skills, so also if he’s positive and committed, good for the group and engaged with these topics, to paint then more or less a picture.
“We decided, ‘Okay, this is the player we want in our group and want to represent Leeds United’. But our demands are very, very high and we don’t differ between loan players and permanent players, so we are pretty picky in this topic.”
Spence is now a regular with Tottenham Hotspur
Whilst Spence undoubtedly failed to live up to expectations at Elland Road, he has gone on to show what Leeds could have won, to borrow Jim Bowen’s regular Bullseye catchphrase, as he has established himself as a regular with Spurs.
Ange Postecoglou put his faith in Spence, using him 35 times in the 24/25 season as Spurs underwhelmed in the league but claimed the Europa League, overcoming Manchester United in the final in Bilbao.
Djed Spence runs with the ball during Paris Saint-Germain v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Super Cup 2025
Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images
Now, according to The Athletic, Spence is set to sign an improved deal at Tottenham, 12 months after he last extended his stay with the club until 2028.
Whilst Farke could only make a decision based on the evidence of Spence’s spell at Leeds, his recent form proves that a talented player slipped through the net.
Although these things have a way of working themselves out, as few Leeds fans would replace Jayden Bogle, who arrived to fill the troublesome right-back slot the following summer.