Just when Gareth Southgate thought his selection headaches could ease, a fresh muscular complaint from Djed Spence has thrown England's right back dep...
Just when Gareth Southgate thought his selection headaches could ease, a fresh muscular complaint from Djed Spence has thrown England's right back department into further flux. The Tottenham loanee, hoping to stake a claim for the last 16 showdown with Mexico, felt a niggle in training and now faces a race against time. It is the last thing the England camp needed, especially with Kyle Walker still managing his own fitness and Reece James missing the tournament entirely. Spence's emergence earlier in the competition offered something different. He provided genuine width, an ability to burst beyond the opposition low block, and the kind of direct running that can unsettle a compact Mexican defence. Without him, Southgate may have to lean on a more conservative option, one that prioritises defensive solidity over transitional thrust. That shift in profile could change the entire dynamic of England's right flank, and with Mexico likely to sit deep and counter, that width is vital. Is this a crisis or merely a hiccup In truth, England's squad depth at full back has been quietly fraying for months. Walker's hamstring has been a recurring worry, and the tactical flexibility Southgate craves from that position is now in short supply. Spence's muscular issue only amplifies the anxiety. You can almost feel the collective tension in the England camp, that squeaky bum time atmosphere ahead of a knockout tie where every yard of space matters. The coaching staff will hope the problem proves minor. A muscle niggle, if handled correctly, can be managed with careful load control and aggressive recovery protocols. But the psychological blow is real. A player who was building momentum now faces uncertainty, and that can dull even the sharpest clinical edge. Southgate must now decide whether to risk him, or trust a less explosive alternative to hold the fort. Whatever choice he makes, this right back situation has become a subplot that refuses to go away. England's attacking patterns rely on overlapping runners to stretch the play, and without that outlet, Mexico's defence will breathe easier. For Spence, the next 48 hours will define his tournament. For England, it is another test of their squad depth when the stakes are highest. GoalZaza will keep you updated as developments unfold.
