FOOTBALL – A controversial selection in the World Cup squad and panned for his performance against DR Congo in the Round of 32, Djed Spence has morphed into a key impact substitute for England at the business end of the tournament.
Thrown on in the latter stages of the last-16 victory over Mexico and Saturday’s quarter-final win against Norway, Spence has silenced his critics by bringing pace, energy and passion off the bench in impressive cameos.
Unmistakable for the chin strap he wears to protect a broken jaw sustained in a late-season Premier League match with his club Tottenham Hotspur, Spence has played a part in all six of England’s matches at the tournament.
England’s lack of resources at full back means the versatile defender is likely to again be called upon to play some sort of role against Argentina in today’s semi-final in Atlanta.
“Listen, I just want to make the country proud, the nation proud, my team proud, the manager proud,” the 25-year-old said after the win over Norway in Miami.
“When I step on the pitch, I’ll give 110% for this country, I’m just grateful to do my part.”
Spence took a lot of flak from critics after starting at right back against DR Congo, though, particularly after the Africans took the lead with a goal down his side of the pitch.
Those who felt that England manager Thomas Tuchel had made a huge blunder by not bringing Real Madrid’s experienced Trent Alexander-Arnold to North America felt vindicated, even if Spence was left exposed by his teammates in central defence.
The storm of criticism also led to a focus on his relationship with Tuchel, who often targeted Spence with animated blasts from the sidelines.
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