Just three games into the 2026 World Cup, England find themselves shorn of all three of their named options at right-back, making what was once an abundant area of the pitch for the Three Lions a real problem position at the worst possible time. Reece James, Tino Livramento and Jarell Quansah are all out injured, and Thomas Tuchel is now under significant scrutiny for some bizarre selection calls.
It’s time for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, which means it’s time for penalty shootout drama. Generally, England have a terrible reputation when it comes to spot-kicks, winning just four of the 11 shootouts they’ve participated in. But the signs suggest the tide is turning, with three of those wins coming in their last four.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has shown his ruthless side at the World Cup after a video emerged of him screaming at Djed Spence during a training session. Tuchel was heard telling the Tottenham full-back to "wake up" as intensity builds ahead of the Three Lions' second group-stage game against Ghana.
Declan Rice and Noni Madueke have delivered a stinging response to social media critics following a whirlwind weekend that saw Arsenal balance the euphoria of a Premier League title parade with the agony of Champions League heartbreak. The Gunners duo didn't hold back after Tottenham's Djed Spence attempted to mock their European final defeat on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain.
Djed Spence is prepared to soldier on despite suffering a painful broken jaw after a challenge from Liam Delap during Tottenham's Premier League defeat against Chelsea. As a result of the injury, the full-back is reportedly expected to feature in a custom-made protective mask for Spurs' final game of the season at home to Everton.
The situation at Tottenham Hotspur has reached a breaking point as the club finds itself embroiled in a desperate survival scrap. As Spurs face the real prospect of relegation to the Championship after a string of poor performances, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has identified two players his former club should look to sign if the North London side fail to avoid the drop.
Thomas Tuchel has warned his England players to avoid a Cristiano Ronaldo situation and receive their marching orders against Albania on Sunday. Ronaldo was sent off in Portugal's 2-0 loss to Ireland earlier this week and will miss their final World Cup qualifying meeting with Armenia. The Al-Nassr forward will also sit out Portugal's World Cup opener should they make the 2026 showpiece.
England captain Harry Kane struggled to hold back the tears in an emotional speech to Djed Spence after his ex-Tottenham team-mate earned a first Three Lions cap to become the country's first openly Muslim player. The crushing 5-0 victory over Serbia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night was about far more than the scoreline. For Spence, it was the moment dreams became reality.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has given a brutally honest verdict on the partnership between new signing Xavi Simons and Djed Spence after seeing Spurs beat Villarreal 1-0 in their opening Champions League match of the 2025-26 campaign. An early own goal from Yellow Submarine goalkeeper Luiz Junior ensured Tottenham took all three points in a narrow win in north London.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped by England boss Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers but the likes of Adam Wharton and Djed Spence have earned a call-up. The Three Lions face Andorra at Villa Park on September 6 before travelling to Serbia on September 9, and Tuchel has taken a brave call by omitting the star right-back.
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