Dan Cook questions Palace’s interest in Spence

Dan Cook has questioned why Crystal Palace are interested in Djed Spence on loan while speaking on the HLTCO podcast.

The Lowdown: Palace keen on Spence

Palace are still yet to make a breakthrough in this month’s transfer window despite there being less than a week left for them to conduct any business – and things have started to look bleak for the Eagles.

This is because they had been credited with an interest in Antoine Semenyo and Naouirou Ahamada, with the former now set to join Bournemouth and the latter said to be staying with Stuttgart until at least the summer, according to Sky Sports (via London World).

However, they are still being credited with an interest in Tottenham Hotspur youngster Spence, who joined Spurs for £20m last summer, but has only been afforded seven minutes in the Premier League.

The Latest: Spence only available on loan

While Palace’s interest in Spence could excite some Eagles fans, Cook is more concerned about why they are looking to develop other Premier League clubs’ players without an option to buy them.

He said: “I can see why Djed Spence would make a great deal of sense for us. I think he is a player that fits the Crystal Palace mould, he would work well – I would assume – with Patrick Vieira, I’m sure he would buy into the mentality of this group.

“But I just don’t see the point if there is absolutely no hope of us getting him to sign permanently in the future or doing it even in the short term, because ultimately, we have to become a self-sustainable football club.

“We have to become a team – from my perspective at least – that looks to cultivate a group that can grow together and can hone a style of play and tactical ideology that makes sense for everybody.

“Having a four or five-month loan deal for a player like Djed Spence that went to Spurs with a great deal of fanfare after Nottingham Forest were promoted at the back end of last season – if he does well for us, there is not a hope in hell of Spurs seeing it as an ideal opportunity for them to cut their losses and sell.”

The Verdict: Crystal Palace must plan for the future

It’s a very valid point that Cook brings up because it’s been reported that Spurs have absolutely no intention of selling Spence this month or in the summer so any deal would be a straight loan option.

Therefore, Palace would just be back to square one in a couple of months when it comes to filling their needs and requirements at right-back, so this deal is one that they should likely avoid for the benefit of the club.

Vieira has spoken openly about how he believes the club needs to make signings this month, although that could soon change if he is desperate to land Spence, who impressed last season in the Championship, as highlighted by his ‘bulldozing’ dribbling quality during his stint at Forest last season.