Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been handed a “huge blow” to his Champions League hopes after an update emerged over Destiny Uodgie, according to Alan Hutton.
Spurs currently sit six points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa, albeit with two games in hand on Unai Emery’s side and know that they will have to better the Villans’ results in the final weeks to finish in the top four.
Postecoglou will also have to navigate the final few games of the Premier League season without Italy international Udogie after the full-back confirmed that his season and hopes of featuring at Euro 2024 had been ended by injury.
While Hutton admits that the 21-year-old’s absence will “hurt” Spurs in the race for Champions League qualification, he does believe that the defender’s injury leaves a window of opportunity open for a fringe player.
“Of course, I think defensively and the way that they play with a high line and full backs playing at number 10, you don’t normally see it,” Hutton told Tottenham News.
“It’s very difficult for another full-back to come in and play in that role. I couldn’t have ever done that so for an attacking full-back, it’s not that easy. It’s a huge blow to lose him, there’s no getting away from that, it’s about who comes in.
“Do they slightly change the style of play? Does Ben Davies come in? I don’t really see him playing in that number 10 role so I think it will hurt them moving forward, especially in these big games.
“Of course, you want your squad fully fit but your starting XI and especially your back five that he’s trusted whenever they’ve been fit to put in a performance so it is a huge blow, but it is an opportunity for somebody.”
Will Destiny Udogie miss North London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal?
As Hutton suggested, the full-back role at Tottenham is no longer simple and so far this term, Udogie and Pedro Porro have arguably been two of Postecoglou’s most important players with their work both in and out of possession.
Losing the 21-year-old who has impressed players and pundits alike throughout the season could massively dent Spurs’ hopes of a top-four finish as they have previously struggled without him fit and available.
It remains to be seen whether or not Postecoglou will be willing to change his tactical set-up to accommodate the defender’s absence, but the Australian has previously been reluctant to move away from his strong principles.
Hopefully, whoever steps into the fold for Sunday’s (28 April) clash with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will be able to keep the Gunners’ tricky frontline quiet. It could be a baptism of fire for a fringe player.
In other Tottenham news, a new prediction has emerged around Postecoglou’s future after an update involving Liverpool and Ruben Amorin
