England and Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence responds after Thomas Tuchel 'wake-up' telling-off goes viral during 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Tottenham Hotspur and England right-back Djed Spence is not concerned by manager Thomas Tuchel's training-ground demands as The Three Lions hunt down 2026 World Cup glory in North America this summer.

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England won their first 2026 World Cup game when they defeated Croatia in their Group L meeting last week.

A first-half brace coupled with second-half strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford wrapped up a 4-2 victory after The Vatreni twice came from behind to go in at the break level.

A win over Ghana on Tuesday night will seal England's knockout-stage spot and take the pressure off The Three Lions for their final game of the group stage against Panama this weekend.

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And in the build up to the meeting with The Black Stars, a video of Tuchel shouting at Spence went viral on social media as the German bellowed "Djed, Djed, Djed, wake up" during a passing drill.

The Spurs man, though, insists that Tuchel's demands for the highest standards are "part of the game" as England go in search of a first piece of international silverware since their 1966 triumph.

"It's normal. He's a great manager," Spence told talkSPORT. "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 to. It's part of the game."

And on Tuchel's management as a whole, Spence said: "I think he's a great manager, he's a great guy. Very detailed in what he wants to do.

"I think the boys really love him and have a great respect for him.

"I think it's like what he always says, we're building a family here and we've built a family... I think if everyone's on the same path, we can do special things. He's built an environment in the squad."

'He ended up shouting at Djed'

Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins referenced Tuchel's yelling in a press conference on Sunday, but echoed Spence's sentiments that it merely reflects the 52-year-old's push for perfection from his players.

"It was lucky it wasn't me," Watkins said of Tuchel shouting at Spence.

"I think I made a mistake just before Djed did, but he ended up ⁠shouting at Djed, luckily.

"It just shows that he is a winner and that he is always driving the standards, making sure we are on it."

England's meeting with Ghana on Tuesday will mark the first time the pair have clashed since a 1-1 draw in an international friendly back in 2011.

Carlos Queiroz's side sit level on three points with England following their late 1-0 victory over Panama in their Group L opener.

Youngster Caleb Yirenkyi struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Ghana made a winning start to their 2026 World Cup campaign.

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