Udogie sets personal Tottenham objective, gives verdict on Italy’s World Cup play-off

Tottenham defender Destiny Udogie hopes to score at least five goals and provide seven assists across all competitions this season and feels Italy’s World Cup play-off opponents are ‘within our reach’, but the Azzurri must be ‘ready and focused when we step on the pitch.’

Udogie spoke to Sky Sport Italia about his season for club and country.

The former Udinese defender has just started his third season in North London, but is still impressed by the high quality in the Premier League: “Certainly, the intensity and the quality in every match and against every opponent,” he said.

“Every game is very demanding; the level is extremely high, not only for top teams. I still haven’t fully gotten used to it.”

Intensity is surely the biggest difference that Udogie sees between Serie A and the Premier League.

“In terms of quality, the two leagues are quite similar, although maybe the Premier League is still slightly better. Even though the quality of Serie A players is extremely high right now,” he said.

The Italy international has already made 79 appearances with Spurs and feels he has improved in many aspects at the club.

“Mostly in understanding the game,” he said.

“When I arrived, I was frantic. More often than not, I acted on instinct and without thinking about the consequences. Now I understand the phases of the match better, and  I can read situations over the 90 minutes much more effectively. It’s an aspect in which I feel I’ve really improved over these two years.”

The 23-year-old was asked which targets would leave him satisfied this season: “Certainly, managing to finish in one of the top four spots,” he replied.

“Personally, I’d like to try to reach five goals and seven assists across all competitions.”

Another big target for Udogie will be to help Italy qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The ex-Udinese defender watched the play-off draw last week alongside his teammate and compatriot Guglielmo Vicario.

“We followed it and talked about it. We said the matches are within our reach,” Udogie concluded.

“We’re Italy, our fate is in our hands. First, we have Northern Ireland at home, then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. We’re aware that these are matches in which we’ll be favourites, and that we have what it takes to win, provided we’re ready and focused when we step on the pitch.”