Tottenham Hotspur were linked to Champions League semi-finalist Cengiz Under last summer.
Former Tottenham Hotspur target Cengiz Under is officially a Champions League semi-finalist.
The Roma starlet came off the bench to set up Kostas Manolas for the Italians’ all-important third goal last night as the Serie A outfit beat Barcelona 3-0 to reach the last four of the competition.
It was only the 20-year-old’s third appearance in the Champions League this season, but surely he has no regrets over choosing Roma ahead of Tottenham and Manchester City last summer.
Both Premier League clubs were heavily linked with the Turkish midfielder, with Ajansspor reporting that Spurs had struck a deal to sign him in a report which was obviously wide of the mark.
Under wound up joining Roma and later suggested to The Guardian that some encouraging words from sporting director Monchi convinced him that the Italian capital was the best place for his career and, considering he could win Europe’s most prestigious competition in his first season, few can argue that he was wrong to do so.
The youngster, now worth £30.5 million according to CIES Football Observatory, after joining for £11.6 million, has made 21 Serie A appearances this season, scoring five times.
He is certainly on the right track and although rejecting the chance to work with a manager like Mauricio Pochettino is a huge risk for a young player, the gamble might pay off nonetheless.
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