Spence set for long-awaited Inter debut
Djed Spence could finally make his Inter Milan debut when the Scudetto holder welcomes Parma to San Siro on Sunday (AEDT), having not played since his time with England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Spence joined the Nerazzurri from Tottenham Hotspur in a €35 million ($56.1 million) deal in August, as the Serie A giant moved to replace Denzel Dumfries after his move to Real Madrid.
However, a persistent injury caused him to miss the first five games of Inter's title defence, from which it has taken 13 points to sit second, only behind Roma on goal difference.
Spence enjoyed a hugely impressive FIFA World Cup campaign as England finished third, making 19 tackles at the tournament – the most by a Three Lions defender at a single edition since Ashley Cole tallied 25 in 2002.
Head coach Cristian Chivu confirmed Spence will now be eased into his line-up over the coming weeks.
"He's been training with us for a week; we couldn't just ignore his rehabilitation period, plus the holidays after the [FIFA] World Cup," Chivu said.
"If I add it all up, he's missed two months of work on the pitch. He's available, he will be called up, and we're pleased that he's back."
Chivu was also asked whether Inter might move away from their 3-4-3 system in order to adopt a back four, after Spence impressed in both full-back places for his country.
"It's not a guarantee that playing with a back four makes you win, nor is it with a three," Chivu said.
"The most important thing is the principles you have in the game. We are built to play a certain type of game."
Having fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Roma in its most recent game, before the international break, Inter knows a victory on Sunday (AEDT) will take it three points clear of the Giallorossi, at least temporarily ahead of their meeting with Como on Monday (AEDT).
Parma, meanwhile, is 15th with four points from its opening five games, having beaten Genoa 2-1 last time out.
Diop Tehuti Djed-Hotep Spence
FC Internazionale Milano
