Spence, eligible to represent both England and Kenya through his parentage, has long been a potential target for the Harambee Stars.

However, his recent performances for Spurs suggest his international future may lie with the Three Lions.

Spence’s journey at Tottenham Hotspur began with limited first-team opportunities, initially hindering his chances of breaking into the England squad.

This period offered hope for Kenya, as the defender’s availability for international football remained open.

However, a recent surge in form, highlighted by a standout performance against Manchester United, has dramatically shifted the narrative.

His display against United earned him widespread praise, including accolades from prominent football pundits like Gary Neville and Gary Lineker.

Neville lauded Spence’s defensive contributions, while Lineker emphasized his all-around performance and suggested that England’s new manager, Thomas Tuchel, would have been impressed.

Lineker even alluded to the previous concerns about England’s left-back position, highlighting the rapid rise of Spence’s stock.

With England’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to resume in March, Spence’s improved form has placed him firmly in contention for a national team debut.

This development poses a significant challenge to Kenya’s hopes of securing his services.

The increasing attention from England’s football establishment makes it increasingly likely that Spence will choose to represent the Three Lions, potentially ending any lingering hopes of him donning the Harambee Stars jersey.

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The loss saw Spurs exit the competition after holding a one-goal advantage from the first leg.

The defeat further intensifies the pressure on Postecoglou, whose initial positive impact at the club has waned, leaving Tottenham closer to the relegation zone than the top four in the Premier League.

Their hopes for silverware and European football this season now largely rest on the UEFA Europa League and the FA Cup.

Despite the mounting criticism and questions surrounding his future at the club, Postecoglou has unequivocally backed his squad.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s crucial FA Cup fourth-round tie against Aston Villa, the Greek-Australian manager dismissed any suggestions of a lack of dedication within the team.

“There’s plenty about them,” Postecoglou told The Guardian. “I get the pile-on at the moment. It’s really easy for people to stick their boots in and question the players. That’s not something I question.”

He acknowledged the team’s disappointing performance against Liverpool but insisted it doesn’t reflect the players’ overall attitude and effort.

“We were disappointed last night didn’t go the way we wanted to. [We] didn’t really perform at the levels we wanted to. That doesn’t define this group of players by any stretch, in my eyes. We’ll go out there on Sunday and put in more of a performance that reflects where we’re at.”

Postecoglou also addressed the growing chorus of opinions surrounding his management and the team’s performance.

He reiterated his focus remains on his own assessment and the team’s progress, rather than external commentary.

“I don’t know which people I’m meant to be proving wrong,” he said. “I said last night, it’s irrelevant to me what other people’s opinions are. People are on the TV and the radio and in the newspapers to give opinions and I respect that. They’re allowed to do that but I don’t have any obligation to listen to any of it.”

The upcoming FA Cup match against Aston Villa will be a crucial test for Postecoglou and his players.

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The Australian boss warned that he needs more from his senior players, particularly those with significant international experience.

Postecoglou substituted the German international at halftime, replacing him with Dejan Kulusevski. Kulusevski subsequently scored the equalizer, salvaging a point for Spurs.

Despite the late goal, Postecoglou expressed his dissatisfaction with Werner’s performance.

“We weren’t at our best, that’s for sure,” he acknowledged. “But we’re in a phase where we’re grinding through. With a depleted squad, some players need to step up consistently. In that context, I believe the draw was a decent outcome.”

Addressing Werner’s substitution, Postecoglou stated, “He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should. This isn’t acceptable for a player of his caliber – a German international. We don’t have many options. I expect everyone to give their all. His first-half performance was unacceptable.”

When asked about Werner’s response to his criticism, Postecoglou replied, “I don’t know, and frankly, it’s not a major concern. The point is, we need everyone, including him, to contribute. We can’t afford to leave players out due to poor performance with our limited depth. We need them to play their part, especially the senior players, when I’m relying on young players to shoulder significant responsibilities.”

Postecoglou praised the performance of young defender Archie Gray, son of former Scotland international Andy. Gray, playing out of position at center-back, impressed the manager.

“He’s 18, and this is a massive experience for him,” Postecoglou said. “He handled himself exceptionally well. Asking an 18-year-old to play in such a crucial game, in an unfamiliar position, at this level, is a significant ask. It’s outstanding what he’s doing. Lucas [Bergvall] also excelled when he came on. He was initially slated to start but was unwell.”

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