The Tottenham star came under serious scrutiny after England’s win over DR Congo.
Djed Spence will not start for England against Mexico at the Azteca tonight, named among the substitutes as Thomas Tuchel makes changes for the Round of 16 tie. The match, originally scheduled to kick off at 1AM GMT, has been pushed back to 2AM due to adverse weather conditions, though further delays remain possible.
It brings the curtain down, at least for now, on one of the more scrutinised weeks a Spurs player would have faced in recent times. Spence started England’s Round of 32 win over DR Congo on July 1 and struggled throughout, failing to cut out Chancel Mbemba’s cross for the opening goal and eventually being hooked with Declan Rice shifting to right-back and immediately faring better.
Tuchel was caught on camera yelling at Spence during the match after he played a throw-in backwards rather than forwards. “Djed! There is one on one! Play up front!” the footage showed him saying. It was not the first time either, with similar scenes having occurred against Ghana earlier in the tournament.
John Terry and Piers Morgan had torn into Djed Spence
The footage invited strong reactions off the pitch. Appearing on Piers Morgan’s World Cup Uncensored show, John Terry said he was “a little bit worried” by Tuchel’s repeated public treatment of the defender, while also making clear he does not rate Spence particularly highly. “I’m not his fan,” Terry said. Morgan was more pointed, calling Spence “a bit of a cocky little sod” and referencing past incidents involving Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.
Spence has featured in all four of England’s matches at this World Cup. Tonight, at least, he watches from the bench as Tuchel’s side face a Mexico side unbeaten at the Azteca and with altitude firmly on their side.