Tottenham star Djed Spence certainly earned his maiden call-up to England’s senior squad during the international break. Will he get the opportunity to make his debut, though?
It’s been a really positive start to the 2025/26 campaign for Djed Spence, excelling in Thomas Frank’s new-look side at Tottenham.
The versatile defender, who can excel in either full-back role, has been superb lately for Spurs at left-back. As a result, Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel drafted the 25-year-old player into his England group for September’s camp.
Spence was an unused substitute as England beat Andorra 2-0 at home on Saturday. On Tuesday night, the Three Lions travel to Serbia for another World Cup qualifier. While we’ve got no doubt about the idea of Spence stepping up to the international level, it may be a surprise to see him make his senior debut during such as tricky fixture.
As Spence remains patient with England, Spurs right-back Pedro Porro shone in Spain’s 6-0 win over Turkey.
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Rio Ferdinand calls Djed Spence England’s best 1v1 defender
Rio Ferdinand has delivered glowing praise on Spence, highlighting his incredible defensive attributes. In fact, he’s described the Spurs man as the best 1v1 defender in the entire England camp.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Ferdinand said: “I think Djed Spence is now prime and ready to take over the Kyle Walker role.Can play right-back and left-back. If you had to play three at the back, he could right of three because he’s so quick he can cover everything. He is the number one 1v1 defender in the England squad right now. No one comes near him.”
Even though the world’s quickest attackers will struggle to get past Spence, who’s certainly taking his game to another level. Next, his aim must be to keep the consistency with Spurs and to break into England’s XI.
A year ago, Spence was left out of Spurs’ Europa League squad. It was only later in the season when he kicked on and started to play regularly under Ange Postecoglou.
Now, the versatile talent may be developing into a top defender as he enters the prime years of his career.
What Thomas Tuchel said about Djed Spence after call-up
England boss Tuchel was extremely kind about Spence after announcing his inclusion in England’s senior squad for the very first time.
“He had a very good end to the season with Tottenham and a very impressive start to the season,” Tuchel said via England’s official website.
“He was impressively good against Paris in the European Super Cup final. He came up against a lot of quality on his side, against a lot of speed and handled it impressively well and kept on going with Tottenham in the Premier League starts.
“He can play both sides, he plays very intense, he’s in shape and he deserved to be called up.”
Let’s wait and see if Tuchel is prepared to back it up by trusting Spence to play. It would be a major vote of confidence if he uses him in some capacity against Serbia on Tuesday evening. If not, he should return to Spurs fresh for a busy schedule for fixtures after the international break.
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