'It seems strange' - Pundit surprised Tottenham loanee Udogie has not been called up by Italy

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Destiny Udogie was on target as Udinese and Sassuolo took a point each at the end of their Serie A meeting at the Dacia Arena on Sunday afternoon. 

Udogie scored one of the fastest goals in this season's Serie A in the opening minute when he cut in from the left hand side before sending a low left-foot shot into the corner. 

According to the statisticians at OPTA, Udogie's 25th second strike is the the fastest scored by Udinese in the Serie A since the one by Roberto Pereyra against Atalanta on January 20th, 2021. 

The Italian-Nigerian fullback has been involved in five goals (3 goals, 2 assists) in eighteen appearances in the Italian topflight this season. 

However, despite his form, Italy boss Roberto Mancini has yet to invite him to the gli Azzurri - something which has been questioned by Italian football journalist  Valerio Tubercolo.

"It seems strange, yet it is so: the most audacious coach in history, who has called up players to the national team without even a minute in Serie A, who has made an incredible number of players debut in the blue shirt, Roberto Mancini, has never considered Destiny Udogie," Tubercolo write on Sport Italia website.

"The Udinese fullback, born in 2002 , is in his second super season in Serie A and literally makes the difference in Sottil's team every Sunday. "

Udogie became provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth after making his competitive debut for Italy's U17 national team in a European Championship qualifier against Romania in March 2019.

The  Nigeria Football Federation are believed to be monitoring the progress of the Verona native.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com