Ange Postecoglou has said that one of his Tottenham defenders, who has been in prime form over recent months, is ready for an England call-up, insisting that the player will not be fazed by the challenges that international football will throw at him.
In the space of just months, Djed Spence has gone from a player whose career appeared to be heading nowhere at Tottenham to one of the club’s most important players.
The 24-year-old has been nearly impassable defensively while also striding forward with the ball confidently, and what makes his performances even more impressive is the fact he has delivered them while playing at left-back, which is not his natural position.
Understandably, there has been discussion on social media about a potential England call-up for the Tottenham man as Thomas Tuchel gets set to name his first Three Lions squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Postecoglou admitted he made it difficult for Spence to break into the Tottenham first-team squad in order to test his character.
Ange Postecoglou explains why Djed Spence is ready for England
Ange Postecoglou has now remarked that Spence is playing as well as any full-back in the Premier League at the moment. He also pointed out that his ability to operate on either side could make him a useful option in the squad.
The Tottenham head coach also confidently asserted that the defender will not have any issues coping with the added pressure and spotlight, given his laid-back personality.
When asked if Spence deserves an England call-up, Postecoglou responded (via Football.London): “I don’t like talking about national team representation but fair to say in terms of full-backs in recent times, his form is as good as anybody’s.
“And don’t forget, he’s not really a left-back, he’s a right-back. The ability of him to play on the left is very useful but in terms of full-backs and form in the league over the last two or three months, I think he’d be up there.
“I don’t think [he’d be fazed by international football]. He’s got a really laid-back personality. Sometimes that can work against him when people’s perception is laid-back, does that mean he’s not driven or he’s not that committed to things and I think sometimes that gives a false impression.
“That laid-back nature also means he won’t be fazed by anything that will be thrown at him. It works both ways. What some people see as maybe a weakness in him that he looks a bit too casual, not on game day but in his general demeanour, I think come game day he’s not fazed by any challenges thrown at him. I think that’s partly why he’s done really well since he’s been thrown in.”
Ange Postecoglou is not the only one who thinks the Tottenham full-back is ready. Gary Lineker believes that Djed Spence could be in line for an England call-up.
Spence’s challenges at Tottenham will help him, says Ange
Spence’s route into the Tottenham startling eleven has been extremely complex to say the very least, with the defender being overlooked by Antonio Conte and initially by Postecoglou, who shipped him on loan twice last season.
In fact, it took the full-back two and a half years after his move from Middlesbrough to make his first Premier League start for the Lilywhites.
Ange Postecoglou believes that the challenges that Spence has had to overcome over recent years have made him mentally stronger and more determined to succeed.
The Tottenham boss added about the right-back: “Even for him, he’s had some difficult experiences, but that’s what life is about. Those difficult experiences can actually help you. He’s played in Italy, in France, in the Championship. I’m sure he’s taken those things along, even if they haven’t been positive, and said ‘OK, there’s nothing really to fear, here’. I think he takes that into games.”