Destiny Udogie will not play again for Tottenham this season due to injury, but Ange Postecoglou has three players who may come in and replace the Italian.
Destiny Udogie, a Tottenham defender, will not play again this season due to injury.
The left-back has been in phenomenal form for Spurs this season, and he, along with right-back Pedro Porro, has played an important role in Ange Postecoglou‘s team. Udogie has made 30 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham this season after joining the first squad following his loan spell with Italian club Udinese.
The 21-year-old, who has two goals and three assists, will be sorely missed in Spurs’ last six games as they try to finish in the top four. Aston Villa are now fourth in the Premier League, although the Lilywhites have two games in hand.
With Udogie unable to play any of the remaining six games, Postecoglou will have to rely on one of his backup players to fill in for the Italian. flashfootballnews looks at the players that could replace Udogie in the Spurs squad.
Ben Davies
Ben Davies might very well return to the team in his usual role. This season, the 30-year-old has made 18 appearances for Tottenham, playing both left and centre back.
The 30-year-old started at left-back against both Brighton and Wolves in February, but his best performance this season came amid Spurs‘ centre-back injury crisis, when he was forced to play in the heart of defence for nine Premier League games in a row in November and December.
The issue is that Davies has not played for Spurs since the 2-1 home loss to Wolves on February 17. During that period, he has represented Wales in two Euro 2024 play-off matches.
Emerson Royal
Emerson Royal is another possibility for Postecoglou to consider. The Brazilian’s natural position is right-back, but he has demonstrated versatility this season by playing centre-back and left-back.
The 25-year-old has made 21 appearances for Tottenham this season and was substituted for Pedro Porro in last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Newcastle. Royal has played left-back for Spurs several times this season, demonstrating his defensive prowess during a stretch of four games in October and November. Emerson, like Davies, was forced to play centre-back due to Cristian Romero‘s suspension and Micky van de Ven‘s injury.
Micky Van De Ven
Micky van de Ven, although is capable of playing at left-back due to his pace and technical skill, has only played centre-back for Tottenham since joining from Wolfsburg. He has made 23 appearances across all competitions, with a hamstring injury causing him to miss part of the season.
The Dutchman, on the other hand, appears to be fit and ready for the final six games, and might serve as a wildcard for Postecoglou at left-back. If Van de Ven is moved to the left, Radu Dragusin, who signed in January, will be able to partner Cristian Romero in the centre of the defence.
Of course, Postecoglou may not want to end the Van de Ven-Romero partnership, but it is a viable alternative. Tottenham have three quality left-backs to replace Udogie: Davies, Emerson, and Van de Ven. Postecoglou decides who comes in.
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