Chris Foy’s latest read on Djed Spence is simple: England may use him in a new role against Argentina in Wednesday evening’s World Cup semi-final. The 25-year-old has turned criticism into selection options. That change matters because his form now reaches beyond the left side he has covered at the World Cup.
Djed Spence and England
Spence has played four games at left-back and two on the right during the tournament. He has also put in two big performances from the bench against Mexico and Norway, giving Thomas Tuchel a player who can move across the back line without England having to reshuffle everything around him.
After the round of 32 clash against DR Congo, he took criticism. Since then, the response has flipped. His rapid forward runs against Norway led to a penalty being overturned by VAR and another shot that tested Orjan Nyland, and Harry Kane said, “Djed was outstanding and really made a difference there against a tricky winger.”
Thomas Tuchel and the mask
Tuchel now has a choice that goes beyond a straight left-back call. If Reece James is fit enough to start at right-back, Spence would be pushing Nico Reilly at left-back. That makes his value practical, not just reputational: he can cover both full-back slots and stay in the game when England need pace on the recovery run.
He has done it while wearing a specially-fitted mask to protect his jaw after it was broken by Liam Delap’s elbow in Tottenham Hotspur’s penultimate Premier League game of the season at Chelsea in May. The injury did not stop his World Cup minutes, and it did not stop his confidence either. On Sunday, Spence said, “I feel good, I feel blessed. I’m happy. I just want to make history with this team, with this country. Like you say, it’s not a bad debut!” He also said, “I feel sharp. Happy to do my part. I’m here to make a difference and that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m pleased.”
Argentina in Wednesday
England are set to face Argentina with Spence set to take on Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi. Support has already grown around him after England’s quarter-final victory against Norway in Miami, where a social media post received almost half a million likes and supporters proposed a chant to the tune of Total Eclipse of the Heart.
That rise also spills into Tottenham Hotspur’s planning. Spence has four years left on his contract, he has been linked with Everton in the transfer window, and Middlesbrough negotiated a fee of £20million including add-ons for him from Tottenham Hotspur in 2022. Keeping him with Pedro Porro would give Tottenham two strong right-back options and extra cover for the left, which is the sort of depth England are now testing in real time.
The open question is whether Thomas Tuchel actually starts him in the new role against Argentina. For Spence, the answer will decide whether his World Cup becomes a bench breakthrough or a full shift in how England use him.
