Guglielmo Vicario wowed by ‘unbelievable’ Destiny Udogie for Tottenham, now among best in world
Tottenham will have been disappointed to let their three-match unbeaten run come to an end against Wolves as Ange Postecoglou’s side slipped out of the Premier League’s top four.
While Spurs had moments of quality in the contest and dominated the ball, they were unable to turn that possession into goalscoring chances and too often they fluffed their lines in the final third as they let a golden chance slip past them.
One of the best opportunities in the contest fell to Ben Davies as the Welshman headed well wide in stoppage time when it seemed impossible for him to miss the target from close range and level things up.
Davies was afforded a rare recent start at left-back in place of Destiny Udogie who missed the clash through injury, but despite his absence, he has been on the receiving end of plenty of praise, in particular from Guglielmo Vicario.
As quoted by FourFourTwo on Thursday (22 February) the Spurs stopper said: “He’s not simply one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, but also the world. He’s only 21, so he must have the drive inside him to improve day by day – I try to push him.
“He’s a very good lad, an unbelievable player, and he has all the qualities to reach the top – he’s quick, he has superb technique, he’s a good defender and attacker… he has everything.”
Do Tottenham have a Champions League-level star?
Udogie’s last appearance for Spurs came back in their last-minute win over Brighton (10 February) and the Italian defender showed exactly why he is so highly regarded in North London.
Before he was substituted after 80 minutes, the 21-year-old completed 86 per cent of his 43 attempted passes in the match, two of which were into the opposition’s final third to get Spurs closer to that much-needed winner, according to Fotmob.
Out of possession, Udogie worked even harder entering an astonishing nine ground duels in the match and coming away with possession of the ball on five occasions as he constantly hassled the Brighton forwards.
However, he has already shown this season that he can be even better than he was that day in a Tottenham shirt, with arguably his best display of the campaign coming in Spurs’ 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United.
The 21-year-old scored one of his two Premier League goals that day, but his performance was about so much more. Udogie completed 91 per cent of 45 passes and managed to create two goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Defensively, Spurs’ left-back was just as impressive winning 100 per cent of his two attempted tackles in the match and he also won three of his four ground duels and half of his aerial battles, without conceding a single foul.
Few full-backs in the world have been as dominant in the tackle as Udogie in the last year. When compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, the 21-year-old places in the 90th percentile for tackles per game and the 75th for tackles won per match, according to Fbref.
Going forward, Udogie carries a goal threat that very few other defenders in Europe can match, averaging a non-penalty xG of 0.10 a match, higher than 89 per cent of left-backs in Europe’s top five leagues this season, while also creating plenty of chances for his teammates.
Tottenham’s left-back doesn’t tend to put too many balls into the penalty area, averaging fewer crosses a game than 97 per cent of his European peers, but he still averages 0.16 assists every 90 minutes, a figure which sees him sit in the 74th percentile of fullbacks.
Can Ange Postecoglou succeed without Destiny Udogie?
Now Tottenham have to find a way to be successful without their reliable left-back as he continues what is expected to be a brief stint on the treatment table.
Davies has always been a reliable servant in North London, but he has lacked that cutting edge both going forward and in defence that makes Udogie such a threat in both boxes.
Postecoglou simply has to find a way to keep winning until his world-class left-back returns to action, otherwise other teams who can offer Champions League football may eye a move for the 21-year-old, despite his long-term contract.
In other Tottenham news, Alan Hutton has suggested that Tottenham will consider “substantial” bids for Son this summer
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