Tottenham have reportedly made their stance on Destiny Udogie clear: despite growing frustration over his repeated injuries, they still see the left-back as a key part of their long-term plans. The Italian has struggled to stay fit for the past two years, yet the club are said to have no intention of giving up on him.
Udogie arrived in North London full of promise and quickly became one of Spurs’ most exciting young players. His pace, strength, attacking instincts and threat in the final third made him a major asset early on. A string of fitness setbacks has since stopped him from building the consistency he needs to reach his potential. At just 23 he has plenty of time to become one of the Premier League’s best left-backs, but his recurring absences are a growing concern as the club try to build a more reliable squad under Roberto De Zerbi.
Availability has been the biggest obstacle. Udogie has made only two Premier League appearances this season, which has left Tottenham short of a promising defensive option and increased the importance of summer signing Andy Robertson, who has started most of the games. The former Liverpool man brings experience and reliability, but Spurs would ideally have both players fit, giving De Zerbi competition for places, rotation options and tactical flexibility when fixtures pile up. For now, the club are still searching for the right balance at left-back.
De Zerbi admitted ahead of the Chelsea game that managing Udogie has become a real issue. He confirmed the defender is unavailable and said the medical staff are working on the best approach, but he pointed out that he has not been able to work with the player since the Manchester United match, which he described as a problem. That matters because regular training is how players absorb tactical ideas, build understanding with teammates and gain confidence, and Udogie’s absence makes it harder for De Zerbi to settle on a defensive structure.
Rather than rush him back, Tottenham appear to want a sustainable plan, which could mean carefully managed training loads, close monitoring of his recovery and a gradual increase in involvement once the medical team is satisfied. Fans will want him back quickly, but a premature return followed by another injury would only add to the frustration.
There had been speculation that Spurs might consider offers if his fitness problems continued, but journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that is not the case. He says the club are planning for the long term with Udogie, who is under contract until 2030, so only a huge bid would even tempt them to sell. O’Rourke added that the player is happy at Spurs and will always draw interest, but Tottenham are not entertaining any offers right now. With years left on his deal, the club are under no pressure and can focus on getting him fit.
There are good reasons for that patience. He is still young, with room to grow in experience and tactical understanding. His qualities also suit modern attacking football, since a left-back who can carry the ball, support wide attacks and recover defensively is valuable, especially to a coach like De Zerbi who prizes building play. Robertson’s presence could even help, letting Udogie rebuild match sharpness gradually without having to play every minute straight away.
Still, the club’s faith alone won’t fix the problem. Tottenham need to understand why he keeps getting injured and put a plan in place that protects his health while letting him rediscover his best form. His absence also shows why squad depth matters, because even talented players can’t shape a season if they are rarely available. His talent isn’t in question, only his fitness, and if Spurs can solve that, they could have a hugely valuable left-back for years to come.
