Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence was a surprise call up for the England World Cup squad, but has impressed Thomas Tuchel and is playing through the pain for the Three Lions
Djed Spence was the surprise man in England's World Cup squad and will have to wear a mask throughout the tournament - but had no intention of letting a broken jaw deny him his American dream.
Tottenham defender Spence must wear a protective face mask in the United States this summer after a "crazy challenge" from Chelsea striker Liam Delap in the penultimate game of Spurs' Premier League season.
But Spence was determined to end what he admits was a "difficult season" battling a relegation battle on a high, by being part of Thomas Tuchel's squad looking to triumph on the biggest stage this summer.
Asked whether he feared it could cost him a place in the squad, Spence said: “No, not really. It was painful but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw so I was all good. I’ve been wearing it in training, getting used to it in the heat and just trying to fit it in properly so I’ve been trying to break it in.
“It’s a little bit uncomfortable. But it is what it is, I’ve got a broken jaw so I have to wear it throughout the tournament so it’s something I will have to get used to.”
Spence suffered the injury after being caught by a swinging arm from Delap when Spurs lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Videos of the incident don't make for pretty viewing and it would be understandable if Spence was still fuming about the outcome.
“Yeah, crazy challenge but it’s in the past now so just got to focus on this tournament now,” he said.
“I’ve got to wear it through the tournament. It’s three months until it’s fully healed. So, it’s a long time.”
Spence had a difficult season in North London. He lost his place at times, lost his form and had setbacks which probably left most people thinking he would not make the cut for Tuchel's 26-man squad.
But Spence - who provided the assist for Harry Kane in England’s win over New Zealand in their first friendly in the United States - says he is grateful for Tuchel’s loyalty.
"It shows the manager believes in me, believes in my quality and I’m thankful for him and I just want to keep on putting in the performances to make everyone happy," says Spence. “It’s a huge honour, to play for your country is a big thing and I’m over the moon and happy to be here.
“Yeah, it’s been a difficult season. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel and we managed to get out of a difficult situation so we have to move forward. Like I said, focus on this World Cup and hopefully it will be a good one.”
Tuchel is a big fan of Spence's ability as a one-on-one defender and believes he is the fastest player in the squad. He also likes his versatiltiy, able to play as a full-back or wing-back on either side. Indeed, while Spence started as a right back, he now considers himself more of a left back.
His switch inside to cross with his right foot from the left wing has become his signature move and was the route for his cross to provide the assist for Kane.
Spence said: “Obviously I’m naturally a right back but I’ve been playing left back for a couple of years now so I’m still learning the position, still trying to get better but versatility is a good strength to have.
“I haven’t played on the right for a long time but it’s still a strong position for me and hopefully I might be out there on the right in this tournament but if not then I’m happy to be there on the left.
“It is my position now on the left so I just have to practice more and there are things to perfect and hopefully produce more assists like that one for the rest of the tournament.
“Everyone knows how good I am one v one, but going forward is a bit different playing on the left because it’s not my natural side going forward. There’s still stuff I can improve on and I’ve got to try and get more numbers in attack.”