Djed Spence: First Muslim player in the England football team

Djed Spence could enter the story by becoming the first Muslim player to wear the jersey of the Male England. Tottenham’s right side, 25, has just been called for the first time in selection A, after having long chained loans and having imposed himself with Spurs last season.

Recognizing that his faith helped him to go through difficult moments, Djed Spence hopes to inspire young people, “Muslims or not”, to believe in their dreams. “If I can do it, anyone can do it,” he said. England faces Andorra on Saturday at Villa Park then Serbia Tuesday in Belgrade. Born in London to Jamaican and Grenadian parents, Spence embodies the diversity of British society. Muslim practicing, he does not hide the importance of his spirituality in his daily life: “In the darkest moments, I always believed that God was by my side,” he said. Its possible first selection thus has a strong symbolic significance, in a country where no Muslim player has yet represented the Three Lions.

Before this invitation, Spence was still considered a shadow player, loaned in turn to Rennes, Leeds and Genoa. His breakthrough at Tottenham, where he imposed himself as a reliable holder, illustrates a return in spectacular strength after being dismissed from the Europa League at the start of last season. His coach among the hopes, Lee Carsley, has never doubted his potential: “He is a humble, athletic player, capable of defending, creating and scoring. He has no ceiling, “he said recently. A portrait that lets hope that Spence can now settle permanently with the Three Lions.