A straggler on the halfway line as Wonderwall was queued up, Djed Spence turned to the dugout and sought out England coach Justin Cochrane. Pointed over with feeling and saw that reciprocated. That was for the hours and hours at Tottenham and now with the Three Lions.
His manager, Thomas Tuchel, came sauntering over. The pair shared a moment of celebration when all eyes were diverted towards another emotional rendition of Oasis in front of England’s sea of supporters at the Hard Rock.
Later, as Spence headed inside after seeking out his sisters in the family enclosure and doing his bit during the post-match sing-song, the England backroom staff welcomed him into a mass cuddle. The 34-minute appearance was certainly the finest of his international career, and perhaps his career in general.
Spence was the man Tuchel needed as Norway pushed and probed, looking the more likely in the humidity of Miami as England threatened to wilt.
His pace was key in getting his side up the pitch, his tenacity in closing down the opposition – including Norwegian keeper Orjan Nyland, nearly leading to a goal – gave others a chance to breathe. He had one shot that was parried by Nyland, keeping Norway on the back foot, he won a penalty only for it to be overturned by VAR. It all helped turn the momentum back England’s way.
Can Spence lay claim to being the first part-time left back labelled a super-sub in a major competition? It feels highly likely. And deserved. Tuchel will want more of that in Atlanta against Argentina on Wednesday.
Djed Spence used his energy and drive to pressurise Norway when he came on in Saturday’s quarter-final, and he almost forced keeper Orjan Nyland into a costly mistake
Spence (centre) joins in with his team-mates’ celebratory rendition of Wonderwall after England’s victory in Miami
Spence’s touchmap shows how regularly he bombed forward against Norway (England attacking left to right)
The make-up of a successful tournament team needs all sorts and a squad player at full back whom Tottenham almost jettisoned two years ago amid fears over his attitude stood up for the cause and delivered when it mattered most on Saturday evening. These are the little stories that a World Cup throws up.
Only three players recorded more defensive contributions than Spence on the night – and they all started. Spence was everywhere, winning the war with a dangerous Oscar Bobb and powering England on from left back with an energy they had been so desperate for. From driving forward to spotting interceptions to nicking possession in the very final seconds as Norway built an overload, Spence was everywhere.
It is little wonder that Cochrane – his former coach at Tottenham under Thomas Frank – and the wider staff recognised this as Wonderwall faded away in one of those unseen slices of togetherness they will cherish.
They see the work, the way Tuchel berates Spence during training sessions to really squeeze the best from a 25-year-old whose stock continues to grow. They see rapid improvement and a player well integrated in this group, obvious when gatecrashing a recent Morgan Rogers press conference to pose a question on who is the quickest in their stable.
As part of the defensive reinforcements in Mexico and then Miami, Spence’s importance to how Tuchel is navigating a way through these knockout stages is clear to see and it is evidence as to why the coach picked specific players for specific moments. A slightly crazed Tuchel told the defender to ‘cause trouble’ as he geared up to enter the Floridian heat and he followed those instructions to the letter.
The dynamic between the two of them has presented intrigue throughout the tournament, notably after the barracking during the first few minutes of training early in the World Cup, consisting only of gentle passing drills.
‘Djed! Djed! Djed! Wake up! Wake up!’
It didn’t appear to be particularly solid communication between a manager and trusted player, more like a naughty schoolkid, but is the sort of stick that is elevating Spence to new levels. The player has suggested that his hunger and character have progressed since a first call-up last August.
Is Tuchel tougher on him than anyone else? ‘Yes. He likes me I guess. It’s perspectives. It’s just his way of managing,’ said Spence. ‘Maybe he believes I can do more and reach new heights.’
Spence also won a penalty for England against Norway, only for VAR to overturn the referee’s decision
‘It’s just his way of managing,’ said Spence of Thomas Tuchel’s intense style. ‘Maybe he believes I can do more and reach new heights’
Spence was born in Kensington, west London, to a Jamaican father and Kenyan mother and his elder sister is the actress Karla-Simone Spence. His girlfriend Gabby Jolie has been out in the States supporting him, along with his sisters.
He started out at Fulham but was released as a teenager and taken on by Middlesbrough, who would sell him to Spurs in 2022. But he’s had a nomadic career for a 25-year-old, with loans to Nottingham Forest, Rennes, Leeds and Genoa.
Tuchel did due diligence on the full back, whom Neil Warnock famously warned could be playing in non-League if he didn’t improve his dedication to the game. When not out on loan while at Spurs, Antonio Conte could not jive with him and despite Spence’s undoubted popularity at the club, the unforgiving Italian quickly became exasperated at a failure to listen to instructions.
Ange Postecoglou also publicly referenced ‘attitude’ in training – a reason why Fulham let him go – and openly admitted that were it not for injuries around December 2024, then Spence would have been on his way out a month later.
As it was, he played his way in – seemingly a turning point coming down at Bournemouth when he had not even featured.
Deep in a row with travelling supporters following a 1-0 defeat, Postecoglou was left to it by the majority of Tottenham’s squad, who instead sought refuge inside. Spence went over, put his arm around the manager, and led him back to the dressing room. He was in the side a fortnight later and never looked back.
There is definitely more of an awareness about staying engaged, shaped by a number of managers in recent seasons. Frank spent weeks fine-tuning his recovery runs, making sure he doesn’t simply switch off when attacking moves break down.
The focus on those basics has helped Spence’s game – and is probably one of very few victories Frank took from Spurs.
Thomas Frank (right) helped Spence with some of the basics of defending, such as improving his recovery runs
Spence has been wearing protective headgear since breaking his jaw – though he dispensed with it during extra time in Miami in a bloody-minded display of courage
When Spence had ignored Frank on the pitch after defeat by Chelsea last season, a hugely embarrassing episode all round, he realised how poorly it had reflected on his coach and made sure to make a full apology in his office. For somebody so relaxed, there can be complexities with Spence.
But Tuchel knows that consistency comes from staying well on top of him: history with others tells him as such. It is why Spence, laidback to the point of being horizontal, has learned to accept the harsher criticism, aware that it improves him and improves England.
Off came the headgear protecting his broken jaw – Liam Delap’s handiwork – during extra time in Miami. The mask kept slipping due to the heat and Spence – who isn’t thought to be required to wear it anymore – ploughed on unfettered.
A bloody-minded display of courage. One that underlined his significance within this England squad. Because if this week is to go down in the annals, then Tuchel needs a Spence or two.
