Why Djed Spence made Harry Kane emotional as Thomas Frank sent clear Tottenham message

Harry Kane gave an emotional speech in the Englanddressing room after Tottenham defender Djed Spence made his Three Lions debut against Serbia.

The 25-year-old came on as a late substitute in Tuesday night’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Serbia in Belgrade. Kane opened the scoring for Thomas Tuchel'sside before Noni Madueke doubled the lead two minutes later. Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Marcus Rashford scored in the second period to cap off an impressive camp for England.

After the game at Rajko Mitic Stadium, Spence was passed his first ever Three Lions cap by former Tottenhamteammate Kane. Visibly emotional, Kane said: "We have a new debut today. I asked to do this, because I saw this player three, four years ago at Tottenham and he had to go through a lot.

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"He had to keep his head up. He had to work hard. Now he's an England player so he fully deserves this. I'm a little bit emotional because I know how much it takes to get here and I saw what it was like, and it was tough for you. Credit to you, your family, everyone involved - you deserve this one."

Spence joined Spurs from Middlesbrough in July 2022 but has had to be extremely patient, with Antonio Conte at the time describing the signing as "an investment by the club". Loan spells to Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa followed before Spence eventually broke into the starting XI under Ange Postecoglou last season.

The defender, who can play right-back and left-back, has played every minute of Tottenham's four games so far this campaign and has impressed under Thomas Frank. That form earned him a place in Tuchel's latest England squad and the Englishman described playing for his country as an "honour".

“It was amazing, it has been a long time coming,” he said. “I have dreamed about it all my life since I was a kid so it is amazing. It is an honour. H gave it to me when I was in the dressing room.

“I’m a little bit emotional, the journey I have been on. I’m officially an England player now so I am over the moon. He said I was at Tottenham with him a few years ago and he has seen my growth and he knows how hard it is to get to this level. He is just happy for me.”

With Destiny Udogie returning to fitness, Spence's form means the Italian may have to bide his time to get back into the Tottenham starting line-up. Spurs travel to West Ham on Saturday and you would expect Frank to select Spence at left-back once again.