Destiny Udogie is shining as a left-back at Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur but he could be asked to fill a very different role for Italy boss Luciano Spalletti.
When Ange Postecoglou replaced Antonio Conte in the Tottenham Hotspur dugout over the summer, there were inevitable concerns – in some quarters – about what this meant for a player who joined under the Italian but now found himself trying to win over an Australian instead.
Destiny Udogie, after all, had made his name as a wing-back at Udinese. He looked perfectly-suited to Conte’s 3-4-3 system. But maybe less so Postecoglou’s preferred back-four set-up.
The Italian’s outstanding performances in the early weeks of the new campaign have, however, gone a long way to dispelling those doubts, Fabio Paratici’s £17 million acquisition proving that he is more than just a one-trick – or one-position – pony.
Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie set for Italy debut
New Italy boss Spalletti, however, is keen to test the limits of Udogie’s versatility.
“There are those (in our squad) who can cover multiple roles,” former Inter Milan, Roma and Napoli coach Spalletti tells Tuttomercatoweb.
“Udogie played as a midfielder (in training) and can also be used in that role.”
The all-action 20-year-old is, however, likely to line up on the left rather than in the centre during the upcoming clashes with Malta and England, especially with Italy’s first-choice southpaw Leonardo Spinazzola left out of Spalletti’s squad.
Capped eight times by the Under 21s, this will be Udogie’s first ever appearance for the senior Azzurri squad. Few would argue he doesn’t deserve it.
A Premier League rising star
“Destiny Udogie was outstanding,” Arsenal legend Paul Merson told Sky Sports after the Serie A import bounced back from a turbulent start against Bukayo Saka in the North London derby.
“For him to get booked so early on in the game, then go up against Bukayo Saka – one of the best wingers in the world – is some going. Udogie did his job really well.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
