Some fans may have spotted that Djed Spence is wearing a protective mask for England as the Tottenham defender embarks on his first taste of the FIFA World Cup.
The former Nottingham Forest star is having to wear a black strap around his head after a moment he personally described as “crazy” in the penultimate game of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
So, what happened with Djed Spence? Let us take a look.
Djed Spence forced to wear protective mask after “crazy” elbow from Liam Delap
Tottenham suffered a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the penultimate game of the Premier League season.
Spence – who Ange Postecoglou liked – was only introduced in the 69th minute as a replacement for Destiny Udogie, but just 18 minutes later, found himself writhing around on the floor in agony after Chelsea No.9 Liam Delap caught him with his elbow.
It was a bizarre challenge considering the Chelsea striker was practically through on goal with only the England international and Antonin Kinsky to beat – the former Manchester City attacker clearly tried to use his body to roll Spence, but got it all wrong.
Fortunately, the incident did not cost the 25-year-old his spot at the World Cup, although he still seems to hold some bitterness towards Delap by branding the challenge a “crazy” one.
BBC Sport quote Spence – who disliked Antonio Conte at Spurs – as saying: “It is a little bit uncomfortable, but it is what it is. I have a broken jaw so I have to wear it throughout the tournament.
“It is something I will have to get used to. It will be three months until it is fully healed, so it is a long time. It was painful, but luckily I play football with my feet and not my jaw so it is all good.
“I have been wearing it in training, getting used to wearing it in the heat, and trying to break it in properly. It was a crazy challenge, but it is in the past now. I’ve just got to focus on this tournament now.”
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