When Djed Spence collapsed onto the pitch late in Tottenham Hotspur’s crucial Premier League clash against Chelsea, the severity of the incident was not immediately clear. The defender had challenged for a high ball when Chelsea striker Liam Delap caught him with a forceful elbow to the face.

The collision left Spence clutching the left side of his jaw in visible discomfort. Delap, who appeared fully aware of his opponent’s position before extending his arm, escaped without a red card — a decision that still surprises many observers.

Reflecting on the challenge, Spence admitted there was little doubt in his mind about its nature.

“It was a crazy challenge,” he said.

The aftermath could have been far more damaging than a painful evening. Tottenham were still fighting to avoid relegation, while the World Cup was just around the corner. A serious injury at that stage of the season could easily have jeopardized both objectives.

Yet Spence never allowed those thoughts to take over.

Playing Through the Pain

Despite suffering a fractured jaw, the 25-year-old completed the remainder of Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat. The result left Spurs needing at least a point from their final league match against Everton to guarantee survival.

Whether he initially realized the extent of the damage or simply chose to ignore it, Spence kept going until the final whistle.

Asked if concerns about missing the World Cup crossed his mind, he offered a characteristically relaxed response.

According to the defender, the injury was painful, but he never felt panic. As he jokingly explained, football is played with his feet rather than his jaw, so he saw no reason to dwell on the setback.

That mindset has carried him all the way to the United States, where England are completing their preparations for the World Cup.

Protective Brace Becomes Part of Daily Routine

Spence has travelled with Thomas Tuchel’s squad and is expected to feature in England’s final warm-up fixture against Costa Rica in Orlando before the tournament opener against Croatia in Dallas the following week.

To protect the injury, he has been wearing a specially designed jaw brace.

The defender first used it during Tottenham’s season finale against Everton, a match Spurs won 1-0 to secure their Premier League status. He also wore it in England’s friendly victory over New Zealand in Tampa, where he supplied the cross that allowed Harry Kane to score the winning goal.

The brace is likely to remain with him throughout the summer.

Although adapting to it has not been easy, Spence accepts it as part of the recovery process.

He revealed that full healing is expected to take around three months. As a result, he has been using the equipment regularly in training sessions, gradually becoming accustomed to both the fit and the hot conditions in the United States.

Why Tuchel Trusts Him

Spence’s inclusion in England’s World Cup squad generated discussion among supporters and pundits.

Some questioned why Tuchel opted for him over younger alternatives such as Myles Lewis-Skelly and Lewis Hall. Others wondered whether experienced defender Luke Shaw might have been a stronger option.

However, Tuchel’s faith in Spence has been consistent throughout the season.

Lewis-Skelly featured in England squads earlier in the campaign, while Hall was selected in March. Shaw, meanwhile, was never called up by the German coach.

The reasons for Tuchel’s confidence extend beyond Spence’s resilience.

Among the current England squad, he is regarded as the quickest player available. He also excels in one-versus-one defensive situations and offers tactical flexibility that few teammates can match.

Originally a right-back, Spence has spent the past two seasons operating mainly on the opposite flank for Tottenham. His ability to perform effectively on either side of the defence is particularly valuable given the injury histories of fellow right-backs Reece James and Tino Livramento.

Comfortable on Either Flank

Although his natural position remains on the right side, Spence believes his experience at left-back has significantly improved his overall game.

He acknowledged that he is still developing aspects of the role but considers versatility one of his greatest strengths.

While he has not played regularly on the right for quite some time, he remains confident there. At the same time, he is perfectly comfortable continuing on the left if that is where England need him.

For Spence, the priority is contributing wherever he can help the team most.

Looking for More Impact Going Forward

England’s win over New Zealand provided another encouraging moment.

The assist for Kane represented Spence’s first of the season across 48 appearances for club and country. Despite the contribution, he remains aware that his attacking numbers can improve.

The defender openly admitted he needs to become more productive in the final third.

While his ability to beat opponents and defend in isolation situations is widely recognized, attacking from the left side presents different challenges because it is not his natural direction when moving forward. He believes there is still considerable room for growth and hopes to increase both goals and assists in the future.

Rivalries Put Aside for England Duty

Spence is known for his confidence and willingness to engage in light-hearted exchanges on social media.

Earlier this year, he joked about neutralizing opposition wingers. Following Arsenal’s derby victory over Tottenham in February, the North London club responded online by posting footage of Bukayo Saka and Cristhian Mosquera dispossessing him, accompanied by a playful caption suggesting he had been “locked up.”

Months later, after Arsenal’s penalty-shootout elimination against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Spence returned to the conversation with a brief response featuring eye and unlocked-padlock emojis.

Now, however, club rivalries have been put on hold.

Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze joined England’s camp after receiving additional rest following Arsenal’s European campaign.

Spence insists there has been no banter since their arrival.

With the World Cup about to begin, attention is firmly fixed on England’s ambitions. The jokes, he says, can wait until the tournament is over. For now, the squad is focused on making the most of its opportunity on football’s biggest stage.