John Terry launches scathing attack on Djed Spence: ‘I don’t think he’s a good footballer’

Former England captain John Terry has delivered a withering assessment of Djed Spence ahead of the Three Lions’ World Cup Round of 16 clash against Mexico, declaring he is “not a fan” of the Tottenham defender and questioning whether he is good enough to represent his country.

Appearing on Piers Morgan’s World Cup Uncensored show, the Chelsea legend did not hold back in his critique of the 25-year-old. “Listen, I’m not his fan,” Terry said. “I don’t think he’s a good defender, I don’t think he’s a good footballer. He’s played in a really struggling Spurs side this year”.

Terry’s comments come after a torrid week for Spence, who started England’s Round of 32 victory over DR Congo on July 1 and struggled throughout. The Tottenham full-back failed to cut out Chancel Mbemba’s cross for the opening goal and was eventually substituted, with Declan Rice shifting to right-back and immediately faring better.

The former England skipper also expressed serious concern about manager Thomas Tuchel’s public treatment of Spence. Tuchel was caught on camera berating the defender during the DR Congo match after he played a throw-in backwards rather than forwards. “Djed! There is one on one! Play up front!” the footage showed the German coach yelling. Similar scenes had occurred against Ghana earlier in the tournament.

“I don’t know if you’ve seen the images and videos of him going mad at Spence again,” Terry told Morgan. “I’m not saying he’s picking him out—but he seems like he’s having a proper dig at him”.

Terry suggested Tuchel would not dare treat more established stars with the same aggression. “If that’s Trent [Alexander-Arnold], I’m not sure he’s behaving like that. I’m not sure he’s talking to Trent like that,” Terry said. “And maybe that’s a decision of why he’s picked a couple of these players, because he can go like that to these younger players or these new players in the squad”.

Despite his reservations about Spence’s ability, Terry questioned the mixed messaging from Tuchel, who has repeatedly singled out the defender while continuing to select him. “I will say I’ve not seen Tuchel do that to anyone else,” Terry noted. “It just seems to be on two or three occasions he’s dug Spence out. But also, for me, he’s then relied on him and played him again. I agree it’s kind of mixed messaging”.

Morgan intensified the criticism, labelling Spence “a bit of a cocky little sod” and pointing to past incidents where the defender refused to shake Brentford manager Thomas Frank’s hand and made a point of confronting Igor Tudor after being substituted.

England’s right-back options have been severely depleted after Tino Livramento suffered an injury before the tournament, while Reece James has missed the last two matches due to fitness concerns. Tuchel controversially omitted Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden from his World Cup squad on the grounds of squad harmony, a decision that now appears increasingly questionable.

Spence has featured in all four of England’s matches at this World Cup but has been named among the substitutes for tonight’s delayed Round of 16 tie against Mexico at the Azteca. The match, originally scheduled for 1 AM GMT, has been pushed back to 2 AM due to adverse weather conditions.

England face a Mexico side unbeaten at the iconic stadium, with altitude firmly on the hosts’ side. Whether Spence will feature at all remains to be seen—but if Terry’s assessment is anything to go by, the Tottenham defender has plenty still to prove.