England versus Andorra may not appear to be an obvious occasion for a sporting landmark, but should Djed Spence make his Three Lions debut on Saturday then Villa Park will play host to history.
The Tottenham defender is set to become the first Muslim to represent the country at football, and it is something that he is acutely aware of.
Spence, 25, regularly posts on social media about his faith, and described the opportunity as ‘a blessing’.
‘It’s amazing,’ he added. ‘I did see it and I was surprised, really. The first ever. It’s a big thing for me, my faith. It’s just amazing. I don’t have the words.’
Spence, who was hailed by former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou for playing through Ramadan last season, has turned to his religion numerous times throughout a career in which he has already proved a number of high-profile doubters wrong.
When he arrived at Spurs in 2022 following a £20m move from Middlesbrough, then manager Antonio Conte effectively disowned him, describing him coldly as an ‘investment of the club’.
Djed Spence is set to become the first Muslim to represent the country at football, and it is something that he is acutely aware of
The 25-year-old has turned to his religion numerous times throughout a career in which he has already proved a number of high-profile doubters wrong
‘I did really well, got promoted with Nottingham Forest and I was buzzing,’ Spence recalled. ‘I am going to sign for Tottenham. So to hear comments like that wasn’t nice. It shatters your confidence a bit. But I am 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.’
That resilience was also needed when Neil Warnock publicly questioned his mentality. ‘There are not many players where you can say it’s all up to them personally how far they go – it’s what’s between the ears,’ the veteran former Boro manager had said. ‘He could be playing at a top club in England or in non-league in five years, I don’t know.’
After being allowed to join Forest on loan and subsequently triumphing in the Championship play-off final, Spence hit back with a cheeky tweet on X, welcoming Warnock to the platform with a picture of himself in a celebratory Wembley dressing room with the trophy and a cigar.
‘I wouldn’t say I have a list (of doubters) or anything,’ Spence said. ‘But I do have a mental note of people who doubted me, for sure, and it does feel good to prove them wrong.’
On both occasions, his faith came to the fore. ‘In the toughest moments of my life, the darkest moments, I’ve always believed that God has always been by my side,’ he said. ‘When I’m winning, when I’m in a good moment, I promote God as well because he’s always been by my side.’
The England cricket team has already capped a number of Muslims, including Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. However, Spence, whose parents are from Jamaica and Kenya, does not feel an additional pressure at the prospect of becoming the first to represent the football team.
‘I just play football with a smile on my face,’ he said. ‘Be happy, and the rest will take care of itself.’
He does, however, believe his call-up can send out a positive message. ‘If I can do it, you can do it,’ Spence said. ‘Not just Muslim kids, any child of any faith. Put your mind to something and you can do it.’
The England cricket team has already capped a number of Muslims, (L-R) including Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid
The Tottenham defender believes that his call-up can send out a positive message
Meanwhile, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is looking forward to ending a seven-year England absence.
The AC Milan midfielder was added to Thomas Tuchel’s squad after Adam Wharton was injured for Crystal Palace in their win over Aston Villa.
Loftus-Cheek, who has 10 caps, was last involved in November 2018 when he came off the bench in a match against the United States.
And he is aiming to enjoy being on the field, rather than the sofa. ‘I watched England’s last two finals at home with my family,’ he explained. ‘It’s almost more nerve-wracking watching it on telly than playing in these games for England so I hope I’m not watching another one.’
