‘Unbelievable’ 91% Tottenham now among best in world, blown Vicario away this season

Tottenham will have been disappointed to let their three-match unbeaten run come to an end against Wolves as Ange Postecoglou’s side slipped out of the Premier League’s top four.

While Spurs had moments of quality in the contest and dominated the ball, they were unable to turn that possession into goalscoring chances and too often they fluffed their lines in the final third as they let a golden chance slip past them.

One of the best opportunities in the contest fell to Ben Davies as the Welshman headed well wide in stoppage time when it seemed impossible for him to miss the target from close range and level things up.

Destiny Udogie missed the match due to injury, therefore Davies was given a rare start at left-back recently. Despite his absence, he has received a lot of acclaim, especially from Guglielmo Vicario.

The Spurs stopper stated: “He’s not just one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, but also in the world,” as cited by FourFourTwo on Thursday, February 22. Even though he’s only 21, he should have the motivation to get better every day—I try to challenge him.

“He’s a very good boy, an amazing player, and he has everything it takes to be at the top: he’s quick, has excellent technique, can play both defense and attack, he’s got it all.”

Do Tottenham have a Champions League-level star?

Udogie’s last appearance for Spurs came back in their last-minute win over Brighton (10 February) and the Italian defender showed exactly why he is so highly regarded in North London.

Before he was substituted after 80 minutes, the 21-year-old completed 86 per cent of his 43 attempted passes in the match, two of which were into the opposition’s final third to get Spurs closer to that much-needed winner, according to Fotmob.

Out of possession, Udogie worked even harder entering an astonishing nine ground duels in the match and coming away with possession of the ball on five occasions as he constantly hassled the Brighton forwards.

However, he has already shown this season that he can be even better than he was that day in a Tottenham shirt, with arguably his best display of the campaign coming in Spurs’ 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United.

The 21-year-old scored one of his two Premier League goals that day, but his performance was about so much more. Udogie completed 91 per cent of 45 passes and managed to create two goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Defensively, Spurs’ left-back was just as impressive winning 100 per cent of his two attempted tackles in the match and he also won three of his four ground duels and half of his aerial battles, without conceding a single foul.

Few full-backs in the world have been as dominant in the tackle as Udogie in the last year. When compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, the 21-year-old places in the 90th percentile for tackles per game and 75th in terms of tackles won per game, as per Fbref.

With a non-penalty xG of 0.10 per game this season—higher than 89% of left-backs in Europe’s top five leagues—Udogie has a goal threat that very few other defenders in the continent can match. He also creates lots of chances for his teammates.

With less crosses made per game than 97% of his European counterparts, Tottenham’s left-back doesn’t often put balls into the penalty area. Nevertheless, he still contributes 0.16 assists per 90 minutes, placing him in the 74th percentile of fullbacks.

Can Ange Postecoglou succeed without Destiny Udogie?

As he continues what is anticipated to be a temporary stay on the injured list, Tottenham must now figure out how to succeed without their dependable left-back.

Although Davies has always been a dependable employee in North London, he lacks the attacking and defensive creativity that makes Udogie such a threat in both areas.

Postecoglou just needs to continue winning until his elite left-back gets back into the game; if not, other teams that can provide Champions League football would consider making a move for the 21-year-old, even though he has a long-term deal.

Alan Hutton has indicated that Tottenham may take into consideration “substantial” proposals for Son this summer, in other Tottenham news.