Udinese boss Andrea Sottil “surprised” by Tottenham loanee Destiny Udogie not making Italy’s latest squad
Tottenham Hotspur signed Destiny Udogie from Udinese as their seventh signing of the recently-concluded summer transfer window. The 19-year-old, as a part of the deal, was loaned back to the Udine-based outfit for the season.
This season, the Italy U21 international has scored two goals in six appearances for the Serie A club. After having a breakthrough season under manager Andrea Sottil last season, many expect Udogie to get his first senior cap for Italy very soon.
However, it won’t be in September 2022. Manager Roberto Mancini did not name Udogie in his latest 29-man squad for the upcoming Nations League games for Italy against England and Hungary.
Those who follow the Italian national team would have noticed that Salernitana right-back Pasquale Mazzocchi (on loan from Venezia) has been called up for the first time to the senior Italy squad.
Udogie, unfortunately, cannot boast the same. The teenager has been pipped in the pecking order by two experienced left-backs in West Ham United’s Emerson Palmieri and Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco.
Sottil, who played for teams such as Fiorentina, AS Roma, and Udinese before becoming a manager, was “surprised” at Udogie not receiving the call-up. He said, as quoted by Football Italia (h/t Football.London):
“These decisions surprised me. I respect Mancini’s choices but I was still surprised. I think Udogie is one of the best full-backs in the League, he proves this all the time.”
Udogie will have to wait before he can hope to make his debut for Spurs, as his loan deal expires in the summer of 2023. Right now, the Lilywhites have Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, and even Ben Davies as players capable of playing in that position.
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The club loaned out former Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon to Atletico Madrid this season. It remains to be seen if the Spaniard has a long-term future at Spurs after this.