Jay Bothroyd believes Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence is the ideal candidate to handle Lionel Messi when England faces Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-final. With Reece James sidelined by injury and Jarell Quansah suspended, Spence is positioned to take a key defensive role after featuring in all six of England’s tournament fixtures so far.
Lionel Messi remains a major threat for Argentina, boasting eight goals and two assists during his campaign for the Golden Ball. During a broadcast on Sky Sports, Bothroyd argued that Spence offers superior one-on-one defensive skills compared to Nico O’Reilly. He encouraged manager Thomas Tuchel to deploy the 25-year-old on the left flank specifically to counteract the Argentine star.
Bothroyd noted that Spence possesses a unique ability to contain opponents, suggesting his physical approach is exactly what Tuchel requires to limit Messi’s influence. The two nations are set to meet at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15.
