Djed Spence Available for Inter as Chivu Keeps Shape Open

Inter coach Cristian Chivu has not ruled out using a back four and confirmed Djed Spence is available for selection against Parma, while stopping short of announcing a change in shape.

beIN SPORTS reported that Spence had trained with the group for a week and would be called up for the San Siro fixture. He missed Inter’s first five matches of their title defence after a persistent injury, with Chivu noting that rehabilitation and a post-World Cup break meant the defender had missed two months of pitch work.

The coach was asked whether Inter could move from their 3-4-3 system to a back four after Spence impressed in both full-back positions for England at the 2026 World Cup. Chivu’s response was that neither a back three nor a back four guarantees wins; he emphasised the importance of the team’s principles rather than presenting a switch as imminent.

Spence’s return to group training had been reported in September, before he was confirmed available for the Parma match.

Spence Returns as Chivu Keeps Tactical Options Open

The defender joined Inter from Tottenham in August for €35 million ($56.1 million), as the club moved to replace Denzel Dumfries after his transfer to Real Madrid. Spence made 19 tackles at the World Cup, the most by an England defender in a single edition since Ashley Cole recorded 25 in 2002; England finished third.

Djed Spence in action for England against Ghana. – Photo: Bryan Berlin / CC BY-SA 4.0

Inter entered the fixture with 13 points from five matches, second behind Roma on goal difference. Parma had four points, sat 15th and arrived after a 2-1 win over Genoa.

Chivu said Spence would be eased into the lineup over the coming weeks. A win would put Inter three points clear of Roma temporarily, before the Giallorossi face Como on Monday; the back-four option remains open, not confirmed.