Inter Prepare Djed Spence for Parma as Chivu Weighs Formation

Inter Milan have regained a defensive option ahead of their Serie A meeting with Parma, as Djed Spence returns to contention following an extended injury absence. Coach Cristian Chivu confirmed the England international is available for selection at San Siro, while leaving open the possibility of changing Inter's three-man defense to a back four.

According to reports published by LiveScore and Yahoo Sports on October 9 and 10, 2026, Spence had trained with the first team for a week before being considered ready for the Parma fixture. The defender missed Inter's first five league matches of their title defense after rehabilitation and a post-World Cup break left him without two months of on-field training.

Spence is expected to begin on the bench as the club gradually restores his match fitness. Inter signed him from Tottenham in August for a reported €35 million ($56.1 million), following Denzel Dumfries' transfer to Real Madrid.

Chivu has resisted presenting a formation change as an immediate priority, emphasizing the team's principles over the number of defenders deployed. Spence's ability to operate on either side of the defense gives Inter another option after his performances for England at the 2026 World Cup.

According to the tournament statistics cited by LiveScore, Spence made 19 tackles at the World Cup, the highest total by an England defender in a single edition since Ashley Cole recorded 25 in 2002. England finished third in the competition.

Inter entered the Parma match with 13 points from five games, level on points with Roma but second on goal difference. Parma had collected four points and occupied 15th place after beating Genoa 2-1. A victory would temporarily move Inter three points ahead of Roma before the latter's match against Como on Monday.

The return of Spence does not resolve Inter's wider availability problems. English teammates John Stones and Curtis Jones remain sidelined, preventing Chivu from selecting all three summer arrivals together for the first time.

Stones sustained a flexor injury in mid-September and was ruled out of the Parma fixture. The former Manchester City defender had played 144 minutes across four appearances before suffering the injury during his first start against Udinese, according to Yahoo Sports.

Jones faces a longer absence after sustaining a thigh problem on Thursday, with the former Liverpool midfielder expected to miss nearly a month. He had made five appearances for Inter, totaling 242 minutes, before the setback.

Spence has also discussed the mental preparation behind his performances in an interview with GQ published on October 9. The 26-year-old described himself as increasingly comfortable with the pressures of elite football and explained that he tries to maintain a focused routine before matches.

“I don’t really get nervous anymore,” Spence said in the GQ interview. “I probably stopped getting nervous when I was around 18.”

He recalled experiencing a return of that feeling before appearing at the World Cup, but said he preferred to view it as energy rather than anxiety. He also explained that remaining in his own mental space helps him avoid being affected by the nerves of others.

Spence said his match preparation includes prayer and music, with American artists among his usual listening choices. He also described his family, including his three sisters, as central to his daily life and said he was considering adding yoga and other recovery methods to his routine.

“I feel 21,” Spence said, describing how he views his age and physical condition despite entering a new stage of his career in Milan.

Inter will assess how quickly the defender can return to competitive action while managing the absences of Stones and Jones. Chivu has confirmed Spence's availability but has not committed to a back-four system for the Parma match.