England defender Djed Spence admits Thomas Tuchel demands high standards

Video of Tuchel ‌shouting "Djed, Djed, Djed, wake up!" during a passing ‌drill in training on Saturday went viral.

But the Tottenham ‌Hotspur player, who made his World Cup debut as ‌a substitute in England's 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening match on Wednesday, said Tuchel's reaction reflected the standards ‌expected within the camp rather than personal ⁠criticism.

"It's normal," Spence told ‌TalkSPORT. "He's a great manager. 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."

Spence said the 52-year-old coach had fostered a strong sense of unity within the squad.

"I think he's ‌a great manager, he's a great guy. Very detailed in what he wants to do. I've got great respect for him," Spence said.

"It's like what he always says, we're building a family, we've built a brotherhood within the team, everyone has one dream, one brain."

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins had mentioned Tuchel's yelling during a press conference on Sunday, but agreed with ‌Spence that it reflected the coach's high standards.

"It was ​lucky it wasn't me," he said of Tuchel's outburst ‌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 next ‌play Ghana on Tuesday in Boston.