England defeated France 6-4 in a high octane 2026 FIFA World Cup third place game, and even though the Three Lions surrendered four goals in the second half, starting defender Djed Spence had another whale of a ball game to make Tottenham Hotspur fans proud.
Spence was all over the place on both ends of the pitch, progressing the ball and winning possession like a man possessed. The Tottenham fullback started on the left side of the defense again and was among the best in the match with five tackles, adding an interception and three clearances to produce another defensive monster class against some huge stars on the French side.
On the ball, Spence had three dribbles completed and two fouls drawn for England, with only substitute Jude Bellingham having more combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn in the match for the English national team.
Djed Spence is playing his way into staying
As Inter Milan show considerable transfer interest in Djed Spence and Everton and other Premier League clubs remain monitoring the versatile left and right back from Tottenham Hotspur, Spence's performance against France with the world watching was a clear statement to Roberto De Zerbi and the other big decision makers at the club.
The statement was simple. Spence just showed that he can play elite defense against the best attackers in the world, and it was telling that the minute he left the pitch again with a possible injury, England conceded with a basic one on one defensive error that Spence would have never made.
Spence's performance was a great two way display at left back, winning the ball and helping the attack, and the latter was a major criticism of his displays for Spurs last season. As Tottenham ponder his future and the transfer offers from Inter Milan and potentially others, Spence is screaming at De Zerbi without saying the words, "Look at me. Don't sell me. I am untouchable, and you are not going to be able to find someone who can bring what I can against the world's best."
Andy Robertson has joined Spurs, but he was nowhere near Djed Spence this World Cup. Destiny Udogie is a favorite of De Zerbi's and arguably better than Spence at full strength, especially for Spurs, but he is too injury prone to trust. And Souza is going to go out on loan. Spence may be more valuable to Spurs, especially in this form, than 30 to 40 million euros.
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