Gary Lineker shares what’s ‘funny’ as Djed Spence claim made at Tottenham
Djed Spence’s recent form form Tottenham Hotspur has led Gary Lineker to mention him as a potential solution for England.
Spence has finally announced his arrival in North London this season after making just six appearances for the Lilywhites in all competitions previously, with 18 and counting under Ange Postecoglou this term.
The 24-year-old has operated on both the right and left flanks of an often makeshift Spurs defence, but with Destiny Udogie still on his way back from injury, Spence has made the left-back spot his own.
Spence’s display in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday has drawn all-round praise, and with Thomas Tuchel picking his maiden England squad next month, he could be a surprise inclusion.
Lineker moots Djed Spence for England call amid Tottenham form
Though it’s been a disastrous season for Spurs, Spence’s form has been one of few bright points, and speaking on The Rest Is Football with Micah Richards (17 February), Gary Lineker was full of praise.
Lineker said: “I was really impressed with Djed Spence again; I think he was quite rightly given man-of-the-match. He was up and down, he was good defensively, he was good on the ball.
“It’s funny isn’t it, that about a year ago, we were [talking about] the left-back problem for England, and then suddenly you get three emerge at once – with [Myles] Lewis-Skelly, Lewis Hall and Djed Spence.
“Three young players that suddenly look really strong in that position, and I would think one of them will be playing in Thomas Tuchel’s first game.”
Djed Spence can solve England ‘problem’ after Tottenham displays
While he doesn’t have the advantage of being naturally left-footed like fellow potential call-ups Hall and Lewis-Skelly, Spence’s form while playing out of position for Tottenham has therefore been even more impressive.
In his time helping Nottingham Forest win promotion, Spence made his name as an all-action right wing-back, and given Tuchel favours such a system, he could be an option on either side of the defence.
That versatility, alongside his impressive form in North London this term, will certainly stand Spence in good stead to win favour with Tuchel, as the last international break of the season approaches.
Hall and Lewis-Skelly being just 20 and 18 years old respectively could also see them first utilised in the Three Lions’ age-group teams next month, paving the way for Spence to earn a first senior call-up.
The make-up of Tuchel’s England is still anyone’s guess as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, but with Spence in career-best form, Spurs’ breakout star must surely be on his radar.