Tottenham Hotspur coach Postecoglou reveals what has impressed him the most about Udogie 

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has praised Italy U21 international of Nigerian descent Destiny Udogie ahead of his side's Premier League meeting with Sheffield United.

Udogie has adapted to the Premier League like a duck to water but his brilliant performances seem to have gone under the radar due to the form of another summer arrival, James Maddison, who was recently named the Premier League Player of the Month for August 2023. 

With Postecoglou favoring a 4-3-3 formation, it was unclear whether Udogie would be guaranteed playing opportunities in the new season as the Italian-Nigerian is more comfortable playing as a wing-back - the position he played at Udinese for two seasons. 

Having impressed during pre-season preparations, Udogie forced his way into Tottenham Hotspur's starting lineup over the experienced Ben Davies, starting each of the four matches played by the north London club in the Premier League. 

The 2002-born Udogie has repaid the faith of his manager as he has been putting in displays beyond his age, and providing assists in back-to-back games against Bournemouth and Burnley is a testament to the good work he has done at the left side of defence. 

When asked what has impressed him most about Udogie during Friday's pre-match press conference,  Postecoglou was quoted as saying by Football. London: "He’s been great. We started off the season with Destiny playing his first Premier League game. Micky van de Ven had had two training sessions, playing his first Premier League game, Vicario playing his first Premier League game. All starting in a back four, back five, but within that context, you give guys the platform, opportunity and hopefully belief that we’ll support them, and you get these outcomes, but it’s still a challenge to do that.

"I think with Destiny, Micky and Pape Sarr is probably in that boat, these 20-year-olds, 21-year-olds, and say to them look 'You’re not going to be judged on your performances in these early games, not by me, so just go out there and play'.

"I think they’ve embraced that. They've enjoyed that freedom and belief that there was nothing that was going to happen out there that was going to say to me that they’re never going to be a player for this football club, because I was putting them out there, but for them it’s not easy, just putting them out there in the Premier League. It wasn't just one I was putting in, it was three or four.

"We spoke about it as a coaching staff, for that first team selection, it could have been easier to go safer. Absolutely, but we needed to change and we needed to challenge things. Guys like Destiny and Micky and these players who have not just gone in there and found their feet, they've gone in there and tried to smash it. That’s what I want."

Tottenham Hotspur host Sheffield United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday afternoon and a win would see them overtake Manchester City in the Premier League standings if the  champions lose at West Ham United. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: tottenhamhotspur.com

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