DJED SPENCE is proud that he is set to become the first Muslim to play for England.
The Tottenham full-back has been called up to the senior squad for the first time by Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
Spence, 25, said: “It’s a blessing. I was surprised, really – first ever.
“It’s just amazing. I don’t have the words, really. It’s a big thing for me, my faith.
“First things first, God is the greatest. I pray a lot, I give gratitude to God.
“In the toughest moments of my life, the darkest moments, I’ve always believed that God has always been by my side.
“When I’m winning, when I’m in a good moment, I promote God as well.”
Spence, 25, is conscious of the powerful message that being the first practising Muslim to play international football for the England’s national men’s team would send to children of Islamic faith.
Around 3.9million Muslims live in England and Wales – 6.5 per cent of the population.
The Spurs star said: “Of course. If I can do it, you can do it. Not just Muslim kids, any child of any faith.
“Put your mind to something and you can do it, man.
“Is there pressure? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t really feel the pressure for certain things.
“I just play football with a smile on my face, be happy, and the rest will take care of itself.”
ANTONIO CONTE, Neil Warnock, Daniel Farke and anyone else who once doubted Djed Spence . . . he remembers you.
And the Tottenham full-back is very happy to have answered your criticism by earning his first senior England call-up.
When Spence, 25, was asked if he kept a black book of those who had wronged him on his roundabout journey to the top, he could not keep the smile off his face.
Speaking from England’s camp yesterday, he said: “I wouldn’t say I particularly have a list or anything.
“But I do have a mental note of people who doubted me — and it does feel good to prove them wrong.”
After England boss Tuchel named Spence in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, veteran manager Warnock, 76, told SunSport how he warned the young defender about his attitude when he was his boss at Middlesbrough.
Spence left on loan for Nottingham Forest in the 2021-22 season, helping them win promotion to the Premier League.
He then famously posted a message to Warnock on social media next to a photo of him with a cigar and the Championship Play-Off trophy.
His form under then-Forest boss Steve Cooper earned him a £15million move to Tottenham.
But Spurs boss Conte brought Spence down to earth by immediately making it clear it was the club who wanted to sign the England Under-21 defender, not him.
And Spence admits it was probably the biggest hurdle of his career.
He said: “Especially as a young player at the time. I did well, got promoted with Nottingham Forest, I am buzzing, I am going to sign for Tottenham.
“So to hear comments like that wasn’t nice. And it does shatter your confidence a bit.
“I was on such a high going into the club. Then I almost came crashing down because of comments from the manager and not playing.
“I was in a difficult space then. But I am a fighter.
“So, whatever I do, I will try to do my best in everything I can. Fast forward, I am here now, so I am happy.
It has been a long road to the top. An already tough loan spell at Rennes in 2023 ended with an injury that kept Spence out of England’s victorious European Under-21 Championship campaign.
In the following campaign, Leeds cut short his planned year-long stay at Elland Road, with boss Farke citing concerns about Spence’s attitude.
He spent the second half of the 2023-24 season at Genoa — and this time last year his Tottenham future was in real doubt.
Previous Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou did not name Spence in his Prem starting line-up until last December.
It’s just amazing. I don’t have the words, really. It’s a big thing for me, my faith.”
Djed Spence on being the first Muslim to play for England
But injuries, particularly to left-back Destiny Udogie, gave the London-born defender his chance.
Spence went on to start 19 top-flight games and play a part in the club’s Europa League triumph.
And the defender has warm words for Postecoglou, who brought him on as a late sub in the 1-0 final victory over Manchester United in Bilbao.
Spence said: “He made me a champion, so I always have gratitude to him for that.
“And he was a good manager, good guy. I’ve got respect for him.”
But the England new boy is even more enthusiastic when discussing Postecoglou’s replacement at Spurs, Thomas Frank.
Spence added: “He’s been amazing to me, fills me with confidence, very open and just a down-to-earth manager. I think he’s going to be amazing for the club.”
Frank seems already to have taken Spence to a new level.
The full-back’s performances in the Uefa Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain and in Tottenham’s 2-0 win at Manchester City convinced Tuchel he was worth a call-up.
Spence said: “I feel I’m improving and that’s down to me staying focused, being a sponge and listening to my coaches and the staff.
“I want to be the best in my position and to do that you’ve got to keep working hard and keep taking on advice. You’ve got to do everything to the maximum.”
Which is basically what Warnock tried to tell Spence back at Middlesbrough — and he is pleased for his former player.
But not as delighted as Spence’s dad, Simon, mum Aisha and three older sisters.
Spence said: “I’m the youngest, so I guess I’m the golden child!
“We’re all very close. My mum supports Tottenham.
“She has taken me to every single training session and been by my side every step of the way. I can’t thank her enough.
“My dad is a football fanatic and has been there for me every step of the way too. I’ve got a real good family behind me.”
Sister Bria does TikTok posts following Spence’s career. The next one could feature him winning his first senior England cap.
Spence laughed: “She’ll probably be at the games vlogging away.”
And who knows, perhaps at next summer’s World Cup, too?
Spence said: “It would be a blessing, an honour to play at a World Cup.
“It’s definitely one of my goals. It’s a long, long season ahead.”
Maybe Spence can end the campaign with his best celebration photo yet.
He repeated the cigar-trophy combination from his Forest success after Spurs won the Europa League.
So, how about one with football’s most important bit of silverware next July?
Spence flashed yet another smile, before adding: “A third in the series? For sure. That would be nice.”
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