Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has suggested that Djed Spence has the potential to make it to the very top of the game, but that much will depend on his attitude.

Spence has enjoyed a promising start to his career at the Riverside and to the current campaign, with the full-back having started six of Boro’s opening nine Championship matches. The 20-year signed a new deal with the club back in February tying him down to a deal until summer 2022.

However, the full-back has been attracting plenty of admiring glances over the last few months. It has now emerged that all of Newcastle United, Everton, Wolves and Crystal Palace have all been making regular checks over the 20-year-old’s progression ahead of a potential move, per TEAMtalk.

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Speaking to the Northern Echo, Warnock outlined that Spence reminds him of a number of talented players he has seen and developed throughout his career that have gone on to play in the Premier League. However, he was keen to remind him that his career trajectory will be dependent on his attitude.

He said: “There’s not many players where you can say it’s all up to themselves, personally, how far they go. But that’s the case with him.

“It’s about what’s between his ears. He could go anywhere in the next five years – he could be playing for one of the top clubs in England or he could be playing in non-league. I don’t know.

“I’ve been impressed (with Spence) up to a point, but I think there’s so much more he could do,” added Warnock.

“It’s about application, dedication – all of these things come into it. He’s definitely got all the tools though, there’s no doubt at all about that.”

The verdict

Warnock has seen everything in terms of players with ability who have succeeded and those who have fallen into obscurity. The experienced campaigner is the perfect manager to guide a player like Spence and the defender needs to ensure he takes on board all of his boss’ wisdom if he is going to make it to the top of the game.

Spence has plenty of potential to develop into an excellent modern-day full-back, with the 20-year-old developing his game well defensively having averaged 1.1 tackles per game for Boro this term. While he has also got plenty to offer going forwards with 0.9 successful dribbles per match (Sofascore), it is now just about improving his last third end product.

It will be interesting to see if Boro do field any concrete offers for Spence in January, with the likes of Newcastle and Wolves circling. The best place for his development though is Middlesbrough where he is guaranteed regular minutes and can continue to develop his game on and off the field.