World Cup 2026: John Terry tears into Djed Spence as Tuchel’s England selection comes under fire

Former John Terry has launched a scathing assessment of Djed Spence, insisting the Tottenham defender is not good enough to start for England despite being repeatedly backed by head coach Thomas Tuchel during the World Cup.

Spence has featured in all four of England’s matches at the tournament, operating on both flanks of the defence. Tuchel started him at left-back against Ghana before deploying him at right-back off the bench against Panama.

The defender was also handed a starting role against DR Congo but endured a difficult outing, receiving the lowest player rating before being substituted for John Stones in the second half.

Tuchel’s touchline fury raises questions

Spence’s performances have drawn increasing scrutiny, with Tuchel’s animated reactions on the touchline becoming one of England’s talking points during the tournament.

On several occasions, television cameras captured the German coach directing furious instructions towards the defender, with one incident following a throw-in attracting widespread attention on social media.

Reflecting on those moments, Terry admitted he was puzzled by Tuchel’s public criticism, particularly as the defender has continued to feature in the starting plans.

“I don’t know if you’ve seen the images and the videos of him going mad at Spence again in the game from the throw-in. I’m not saying he’s picking him out – but he seems like he’s having a proper dig at him,” Terry said on Piers Morgan’s World Cup Uncensored show.

“I’m not his fan”

The former Chelsea captain then delivered a blunt verdict on Spence’s overall ability, arguing that the defender has not shown the level required on the international stage.

“Listen, I’m not his fan. 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.

“But I will say I’ve not seen Tuchel do that to anyone else. 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.”

Terry believes Tuchel’s continued reliance on the defender contradicts the frustration he has displayed from the technical area, creating uncertainty over the manager’s true level of confidence in the player.

England face defensive dilemma

England’s defensive options have been severely tested during the tournament.

With Reece James sidelined by a hamstring injury, Spence has become the only fit specialist right-back available to Tuchel.

The situation has intensified debate over the manager’s decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his World Cup squad, a call that is now attracting fresh criticism as England prepare for their knockout clash against Mexico.

Whether Tuchel sticks with Spence or reshuffles his back line could prove one of the defining decisions ahead of England’s bid to keep their World Cup campaign alive.