The Tottenham and England full-back has become an important part of the country's World Cup journey with his ever-improving performances
Djed Spence's versatility could hand Thomas Tuchel an option in a new role for England against Argentina in Wednesday evening's World Cup semi-final.
The 25-year-old has bounced back from some overblown criticism he received after the round of 32 clash against DR Congo to put in two big performances from the bench against Mexico and then Norway. The Tottenham full-back has shown his versatility with four games spent as a left-back and two on the right.
Spence has gained plenty of popularity among the England supporters, with a chant to tune of 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' proposed on national radio after the quarter-final victory against Norway. His social media posts have soared in terms of responses with almost half a million likes for his upload after the weekend's 2-1 win, 10 times what his usual posts in the season would get.
During that battle against Norway, Spence made an eye-catching impact with his 45 minutes or so on the pitch with some rapid forays forward, one which resulted in a penalty overturned by VAR and another which ended up with the full-back testing Norway keeper Orjan Nyland with a low shot from the edge of the box. He also defended superbly and almost diverted a Nyland clearance in added time back into the Norway net.
"Djed was outstanding and really made a difference there against a tricky winger," said Harry Kane after the game.
Spence's now trademark chin strap, which he must wear the specially-fitted mask to protect his jaw after it was broken by Liam Delap's flailing elbow in Tottenham's penultimate game of the Premier League season at Chelsea back in May, also went missing during extra time on Saturday night in Miami.
"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!" said Spence on Sunday as he takes in his first World Cup. "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."
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Spence has been linked with various Premier League clubs such as Everton in this transfer window, although his World Cup performances with four years left on his contract mean his price tag would surely be far, far heftier than the £20million including add-ons Middlesbrough negotiated for him from the north London outfit back in 2022.
Keeping him with Pedro Porro would ensure two strong right-back options for Tottenham, with extra cover for the left, and replacing the England international with the required quality would cost similar to any outgoing fee which makes it somewhat redundant.
For now it is all about the World Cup though and England must face Argentina this week with Spence set to take on his club captain Cristian Romero and one of the best players, if not the best, in the history of the game in Lionel Messi.
Spence will be pushing Nico Reilly at left-back if Reece James is fit enough to now start at right-back, and playing at left-back would put the Spurs defender up against Messi. Spence is one of the squad's best one-vs-one defenders and has the recovery pace others don't. He would be desperate to lock up the Argentinean legend in his fabled 'penitentiary'.
However, there could be another role which suits him for the Tottenham man proved to be the brightest attacking spark for England in extra time.
While Anthony Gordon has the left wing spot locked down, Noni Madueke again struggled to find an end product on the opposite flank. The former Spurs academy product has not registered a single goal involvement in the tournament yet, although he did earn the penalty that Kane scored at the second attempt against Croatia in the opening game.
Bukayo Saka would be first choice on the right but the Arsenal winger's Achilles problem has ensured he has been in and out of the line-up during the World Cup.
If Saka cannot start this game then Tuchel could do a lot worse than take a leaf out of Roberto De Zerbi's book and play Spence on the right wing. The Italian used him there in Tottenham's crunch final day game against Everton, with Spence and Pedro Porro locking down the right side as the north London club kept themselves in the Premier League.
De Zerbi's predecessor Thomas Frank had used Spence once as a left winger, against Borussia Dortmund in Spurs' 2-0 Champions League win against the German side. It was a bright night for the makeshift winger but that game in January showed the one problem Tuchel might have with Spence in an advanced role. He can beat a man at will with his pace and quick feet, but his delivery in the final third can let him down.
There's a reason Spence has only registered eight assists and seven goals from 234 senior appearances in his career. For context, his fellow Spurs right-back Porro, has 50 assists and 29 goals from 305 games.
However, there's no denying that Spence is a handful when he bursts down the flank and gets to the byline. Tuchel must decide whether that, combined with his ability to defend, causes more problems for Argentina than if the Tottenham man was not there.