World Cup pitchside mics catch Thomas Tuchel hammering England star for playing backwards as they struggled against DR Congo – and his dismissive reaction to his boss

Thomas Tuchel once again ripped into Djed Spence from the touchline as England laboured against DR Congo.

The Three Lions boss has been known to give an earful to whichever player is nearest and has done the same to Spence against Ghana and in training. 

England booked their place in the last 16 against Mexico thanks to two late goals from Harry Kane, who is now on five goals for the tournament. 

But it had taken repeated shouts from Tuchel, and multiple substitutions, to wake his side up after they went down 1-0 just seven minutes in to Congo winger Brian Cipenga’s goal.

At one juncture, when Spence took a throw and sent it backwards, pitchside mics betrayed Tuchel shouting: ‘Djed! There [forward] is one on one! Play up front!’

The 25-year-old appeared to have a dismissive reaction, shrugging his shoulders and holding out his hands as he looked back half-heartedly and ambled away. 

The Tottenham left-back was filling in on the opposite side of the defence after injuries to Reece James, Jarell Quansah, and Tino Livramento, who was sent home before the tournament. 

Spence struggled throughout the match and appeared particularly troubled by the direct dribbling of Cipenga.

He and his nearest centre-back, Ezri Konsa, never looked comfortable and England were fortunate to go into the break only 1-0 down after Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa hit the post. 

When Spence lost the ball in the final third later in the match, Tuchel immediately called for Eberechi Eze in a move which suggested he had lost patience with Spence. 

In mitigation, Spence’s preparation for the World Cup was less than ideal as he sustained a serious fratcure to his jaw while playing against Chelsea in May.

He has been playing with a face mask and said: ‘ It’s a little bit uncomfortable, but it is what it is.

‘It’s something I will have to get used to. It’ll be three months until it’s fully healed, so it’s a long time.’

England are optimistic that James and Quansah will be available for England’s clash against Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning at the Estadio Azteca. 

Spence struggled throughout the match and was substituted off in the second half 

Spence has been the target of Tuchel’s frustrations throughout the World Cup. One training trip where he gave him a bollocking went viral.

‘Djed, Djed, Djed wake up! Wake up!’ Tuchel shouted as Spence hesitated in a passing drill.

Spence later told talkSPORT: ‘It’s normal. He’s a great manager. He wants the best from his players.

‘He demands high standards and for this tournament, we need to be ready, we need to be on it.

‘Every session needs to be of the highest quality. That’s what he demands. It’s good.

‘I wouldn’t be the only one he says it too. It’s part of the game.

‘I think he’s a great manager, he’s a great guy. Very detailed in what he wants to do. I’ve got great respect for him.

‘It’s like what he always says, we’re building a family, we’ve built a brotherhood within the team, everyone has one dream, one brain.

‘I think everyone is on the same path. We can do special things. I think he’s built that environment with this squad.’

More to follow.  

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