Udogie deserving of new deal after sensational start for Tottenham

 

When Ange Postecoglou took over as Tottenham boss in the summer, there were two players who many felt their time at the club would come to a premature end. Both Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro joined last summer and back in January, respectively, and the pair were signed to operate at wing-back in a bygone era. 

 

Granted Udogie didn't link up with his Spurs teammates until pre-season owing to Italian transfer regulations but with Postecoglou favouring a setup that utilised full-backs rather than wing-backs, many would have been forgiven for thinking both the Italian and Porro would be better suited searching for pastures new. Fast-forward to the present day, and Udogie and Porro are considered by some to be the best full-back pairing in the division. 

 

Porro (7.21) is the joint-best rated right-back in the division after his performance in Spurs' 4-1 dismantling of Newcastle, while Udogie's good form hasn't gone unnoticed by supporters and neutrals. Indeed, as reports of a new deal for the left-back do the rounds, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone against tying the Italy international down to a long-term contract. 

 

Udogie has started all but two of Spurs' league games this season having missed the win at Crystal Palace due to injury and the loss at Wolves as a result of a ban. He's one of the major success stories of Postecoglou's short time at the club, nailing down the left-back spot and becoming a key player for the north London side. What's been the most impressive aspect of his rise to stardom has been the ease with which he has adjusted to the demands of playing left-back rather than left wing-back. 

 

The 21-year-old spent the entirety of his time at Udinese operating in the more advanced role and he shone at left wing-back having been directly involved in 16 league goals across his two years at the Stadio Friuli, scoring eight times. Given his attacking performances for the Zebrette, it was difficult to foresee a future for Udogie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a back four. 

 

And yet it's this experience at wing-back that has enabled Udogie to really thrive in Postecoglou's system. There is the comfort with playing further forward that means he can carry out the Australian's demands with ease. When Spurs do press upfield, the full-backs are used alongside Yves Bissouma in the middle of the park, which ensures the team aren't overrun when the wingers and two of three midfielders do push up to support the offensive. 

 

Yes, this leaves Spurs exposed down the right and left when Udogie and Porro get forward but in turn; the duo have the recovery pace to make up the yards and minimise the effectiveness of opponents down the flanks. It's no surprise, then, that Bissouma (47), Porro (46) and Udogie (38) rank first, second and third, respectively, for total tackles of all Tottenham players in the Premier League this season. 

 

 

As such, Spurs have developed a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'stealing the ball from the opposition' with the team ranking top for tackles per game (20.3) and fourth for possession won in the attacking third (99) as they look to force turnovers in key areas of the pitch. The auxiliary midfield trio helps Spurs remain competitive and limits the risk of being caught out at the back. 

 

This has resulted in a marginal dip in Udogie's creative output under Postecoglou by comparison to his final season with Udinese, with key passes per 90 dropping from 1.1 to 0.8, but the Italy international still have one goal and two assists to his name having opened his account for the campaign at Newcastle's expense on Sunday. 

 

There are still rough edges to Udogie's game that need smoothing out, notably in the number of fouls he does commit (26), an aspect that saw him dismissed for a needless challenge on Raheem Sterling in Spurs' 4-1 loss to Chelsea last month. That being said, the pros far outweigh the cons. The ease with which Udogie has altered his game to match Postecoglou's demands speaks volumes of the desire to learn, and for a player his age; this is vital. 

 

A new contract is more than deserving for a player who many a Spurs fan would argue is the best left-back in the Premier League. Udogie has quickly exceeded expectations at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and if the opening months of his career in north London is anything to go by; supporters can look forward to many fruitful years from the youngster in the capital.

Udogie deserving of new deal after sensational start for Tottenham