Tottenham’s Djed Spence did not disappoint in his first start for England, and he has been hailed by the national media following his performance against Wales.
Spence won his first international cap in England’s win over Serbia last month, and the Tottenham man would have felt that it had been a long time coming, given his performances at club level over the last 12 months.
The full-back was given the nod to start against Wales by Thomas Tuchel on Thursday, and he did not disappoint, putting in the kind of solid display we have seen time and again in a Spurs shirt of late.
The 25-year-old oozed confidence both going forward and defensively, and certainly did not look like a player who was playing just his second game for the Three Lions. He has received plenty of praise for his display.
Big claim made about Tottenham star Djed Spence after England performance
The Sun gave the former Middlesbrough man a rating of eight out of 10 and suggested that he had already booked his place in the England World Cup squad.
The outlet wrote about the Spurs man: “Combined really well with Anthony Gordon down the left and very impressive both in and out of possession. Moved to right-back for the last 10 minutes. A notable performance for only his second ever cap. Booked.”
Meanwhile, The Guardian gave Spence a rating of seven and said: “Made his first start in place of Tino Livramento. Stormed up and down the left. 7
Finally, The Express also handed the full-back the same rating and wrote: “Made his full England debut and coped well enough. Spence is by trade a right-back but has often performed better at left-back for Spurs, and the latter role was where he was deployed here.
“Was up against his Tottenham team-mate Brennan Johnson but kept him quiet, though the versatile full-back did pick up a late caution.
With all of the injury issues at left-back, Spence has a chance now to keep hold of the shirt.”
Why Spence has a great chance of being on the plane to the World Cup
While the Tottenham man will have plenty of competition for a place in the England starting eleven, one of his attributes makes him a near shoo-in for a place in the World Cup squad.
After his first call-up, Thomas Tuchel highlighted the fact that Spence can play on either side, which he showed against Wales.
That makes him a very useful squad player for the Three Lions and gives him a big advantage over other full-backs, who can only play on one side.