Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence was a somewhat surprising omission from Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, especially given his recent run of impressive performances at club level. Many expected the 24-year-old to at least be in contention for a call-up, considering how he has taken full advantage of the opportunity handed to him by Spurs’ ongoing injury crisis.
Spence had struggled to gain the trust of manager Ange Postecoglou earlier in the season, but injuries to key players forced the Australian coach to turn to him. Since then, Spence has made the most of his chance, delivering strong displays and proving his worth in Tottenham’s defensive setup. While he has primarily played as a left-back this season, he has also been keeping Spain international Pedro Porro out of the starting lineup on the right in recent matches. His versatility has been a major asset, though former Spurs captain Ledley King has suggested that Spence could even be tested in a more advanced attacking role—an idea that, for now, seems unlikely under Postecoglou.
Despite his impressive form, Spence was ultimately overlooked for England’s recent matches against Albania and Latvia. His omission was particularly notable given the lack of left-sided defensive depth in the squad. However, competition in England’s full-back positions is fierce, and both Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer weighed in on Spence’s situation during an episode of The Rest Is Football podcast.
Lineker and Shearer on Spence’s England Prospects
Lineker acknowledged Spence’s strong performances but suggested that he may need to sustain his form over a longer period before securing a place in the England squad.
“He’s doing really well,” Lineker said. “I think he’s got to maintain that level for a while before breaking into the squad. We’ve suddenly got an emergence of some very solid full-backs at the moment.”
Lineker also pointed out the rise of other young English full-backs, particularly on the left side. “Even on the left now, you’ve got Lewis-Skelly and Lewis Hall at Newcastle, who’ll probably get an opportunity soon—he’s been brilliant for you guys, Alan, hasn’t he?”
Shearer agreed, emphasizing the depth in England’s defensive ranks. “It’s really unfortunate for Spence because we’re very strong in those positions,” Shearer said. “I mean, Kyle Walker came on. You’ve got Reece James, you’ve got Trent [Alexander-Arnold], and as you mentioned, two really good left-backs now. So I think we’re well covered in that area.”
That being said, Shearer admitted that Spence’s form has been worthy of recognition. “He’s having a good season, and I think it’s right that he’s getting a mention,” he added. “But would he get in ahead of those we’ve talked about? Probably not—at least not yet.”
Lineker echoed the sentiment but praised Spence for making significant progress. “He’s starting to establish himself as a regular in the Tottenham side, and that’s the first step. From there, we’ll see where he goes.”
Spence’s Future Role at Tottenham
Regardless of whether he gets an England call-up anytime soon, Spence’s immediate future lies in North London, where Postecoglou faces some tough decisions regarding his defensive lineup. With Destiny Udogie now fit again and Porro also back in contention, Spurs’ strongest full-back pairing is available once more.
However, Spence’s performances have made him difficult to overlook. Statistically, Tottenham’s win rate has remained consistent regardless of whether he starts on the left or right side of Postecoglou’s defense. His reliability and adaptability could prove crucial as Spurs navigate a busy fixture schedule, including an important Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt next month.
James Maddison is among those who have been impressed by Spence’s performances this season, and given his contributions, it would be a bold move for Postecoglou to drop him now. As Tottenham continue their push for a strong finish domestically and in Europe, Spence may have a key role to play in their ambitions—whether as a full-back, wing-back, or even in a more advanced role, should Postecoglou decide to take a gamble.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer say whether Tottenham’s Djed Spence deserves to play for England right now
