Postecoglou calls Udogie ‘outstanding’ at Tottenham and explains Dragusin plan

Coach Ange Postecoglou highlighted how Destiny Udogie had ‘been really important’ for Tottenham and he explained his plans for Radu Dragusin, who joined from Genoa last month.

The 21-year-old Udogie has featured heavily under the Australian coach in North London this term, seeing almost 2000 minutes of action across 23 total games. In that time, he’s scored two goals and provided three assists, confidently matching up against the best in the Premier League.

Udogie has only just started to break into Luciano Spalletti’s Italy squad, making two appearances in Euro 2024 qualifiers back in October. He’ll be hoping to join the team for the upcoming tournament in Germany in the summer.

Speaking in a press conference via Football.London, Postecoglou first confirmed that Udogie wouldn’t be in the Tottenham squad for the upcoming match with Wolves.

“Destiny picked up a knock last week and he’s not available for tomorrow. Don’t think it’s anything too serious.”

The Australian coach then commented on the plans for Dragusin following his arrival from Genoa.

“He has been great, he’s working hard. He was at Genoa, and he was playing. If just playing was all he was interested in, then he would’ve stayed at Genoa. If you want to move to big clubs, then that’s part of the process.

“He knew that and that’s why I wanted him here because he knew the challenge of coming here and playing was not just going to be a given.

“It’s about working your way. He’s adapting. We play a lot differently to what he’s used to, we’ve used him in games, and I think he’s done well when we’ve used him.

“Again, we didn’t buy him for six months, we brought him to this football club for a long time and we’ve already seen this year what losing our two central defenders what impact that had on our season.

“I don’t want that to happen in the future, so Radu is here for that and the next three to four months before the end of the season it’s about him adapting and working hard.

“He’s been outstanding in training, great attitude, great amongst the players. The players can really see the qualities he has and he’s ready to play.”

Finally, Postecoglou was asked about the absences of Udogie and Pedro Porro.

“It doesn’t change the way we play but I think I’ve said in the past a player brings their own sort of unique ability to each position. The structure won’t change and the way we set up won’t change but different players bring different attributes.

“Pedro and Destiny have been outstanding for us this year. Pedro has pretty much played every game apart from the first one where he didn’t start. Destiny every time he has been out there for us has been really important.

“They’re both improving but as I said they’re missing now and there will be an opportunity for a couple of other guys to come in and make sure we maintain the levels we’ve set so far.”