Thomas Tuchel has made his feelings clear about Djed Spence after a decision that left many England fans wondering what the Tottenham defender’s future with the national team might look like.
Spence did not play a single minute during the November international break, a surprising outcome considering he had been part of the England setup for most of 2025 and had made history earlier in the year as the first Muslim player to represent the Three Lions.
The break marked the final pause in club football before the new year, and several Tottenham players were involved with their countries. Spence, however, found himself watching from the sidelines during both of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, even though he impressed during the October fixtures.
It was a clear sign that his role has shifted, not just with England but with Tottenham as well, and the reasons behind it have been building for some time.
For the two November qualifiers, Tuchel chose to start Manchester City’s young talent Nico O’Reilly instead of Spence. The 20-year-old was outstanding throughout the break and showed exactly why the England manager trusted him.
His numbers were exceptional. He won almost every duel he went into, completed every dribble he attempted, and made smart defensive contributions, averaging four ball recoveries per match.
He also added strength on the left side, making key tackles without being beaten once. His confidence in possession stood out and he even created what could have been a sensational assist against Albania, only for Bukayo Saka to mis-hit the chance. The performance left little room for debate. O’Reilly grabbed his opportunity and made himself difficult to drop.
While Spence will almost certainly be in the squad for the 2026 World Cup, the message from Tuchel was unmistakable. If he wants to keep hold of his place, he must show more consistency, more discipline and a greater level of professionalism, both at Tottenham and with England.
Tuchel has always been a demanding manager. He expects his players to carry themselves with a certain standard, not only during the international camp but every day of the year. For him, representing England is a responsibility that extends beyond a ten-day gathering.
That point became even clearer after a recent incident at Tottenham. Following Spurs’ narrow defeat to Chelsea, Spence and teammate Micky van de Ven walked straight past Brentford boss Thomas Frank without greeting him. It did not sit well with Tuchel, who addressed the issue during the international break.
He made no attempt to hide how he felt, explaining that he expects national team players to behave in a way that reflects the values of the England shirt, regardless of which club they play for or what the situation on the pitch may be.
His words were sharp but measured. He spoke about respect, behaviour and responsibility. And although he did not mention Spence by name, it was clear that Spence was part of the discussion.
Tuchel has never been the type of manager to ignore problems or pretend they don’t exist. His approach is direct, and the way Spence was managed during the break felt like a deliberate reminder that attitude matters as much as ability.
Spence will know this already. His defensive output for Tottenham in recent games has been strong. He won all three of his tackles against Manchester United, made several clearances and showed the kind of defensive awareness that made him so important earlier in the season.
Statistically, he is performing well, and on the pitch he remains a dependable fullback. But football at the highest level relies on more than numbers. Managers want focus, discipline and players who embody the standards of the team.
Tuchel’s decision not to use him in the November matches was likely not a punishment, but instead a calculated message. It was a reminder to both Spence and Thomas Frank that professionalism will always matter to the England manager.
Spence still has time to respond, and his ability is not in doubt. If he lets his football do the talking and shows the behaviour Tuchel expects, there is every chance he will return stronger and more determined.
For now, though, the message has been delivered loud and clear.
