The decision raised eyebrows among Tottenham supporters from the very beginning, with many struggling to understand why such a highly-rated player had been left out of the starting XI. However, once he was introduced from the bench, he wasted little time showing exactly what he could offer.
Although he had limited time on the pitch, the player brought plenty of energy, attacking intent and directness, causing Brentford’s defenders problems whenever he received possession. Brentford boss Keith Andrews later appeared to acknowledge the threat, effectively admitting that he was relieved the Tottenham player had not started, as his late arrival meant Brentford only had to deal with him for a brief period.
That player was Destiny Udogie, and Andrews’ comments are likely to increase the frustration among Spurs supporters who believe the Italian should be a regular starter.
Udogie immediately added greater attacking thrust to Tottenham, using his pace and willingness to push forward to trouble Brentford. Despite earning a 6.7 rating, his influence arguably went beyond what the statistics suggested, particularly with the way he consistently looked to support attacks.
Andrews’ comments have only intensified the debate surrounding De Zerbi’s team selection. Many Spurs fans have questioned on social media why Udogie was not given the nod from the start after seeing the difference he made when introduced. From their perspective, if Brentford’s own manager was relieved that Udogie had started on the bench, then why was De Zerbi so reluctant to unleash him from the opening whistle?
The pressure could now increase on the Tottenham boss to reconsider his selection for the next game. If Udogie continues producing strong performances whenever he gets an opportunity, it may become increasingly difficult for De Zerbi to justify keeping him out of the starting lineup.
For Tottenham supporters, the demand is straightforward: they want one of their most dangerous players starting games, rather than being introduced from the bench when the team needs a spark.
