Tottenham Hotspur FC may not be the most entertaining outfit in the Premier League under Antonio Conte, but the north London outfit is grinding out results in the opening weeks of the 2022-23 season that has many supporters confident in the former Italian international’s ability to help the club sustain a proper title challenge this season.
At the time of writing, Spurs sit just one point of bitter rivals Arsenal for the top spot in the Premier League while level with league holders Manchester City while Conte’s men boast one of the best defensive records in the top flight of English football.
It may not be pretty, but it has proven highly effective thus far, and with the Italian headmaster looking to plant roots at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium along with club director of football Fabio Paratici, the long-term picture of the club on the pitch was very much a focal point this summer in a cadre of transfer deals, including one for Italian U21 international left-back Destiny Udogie.
Destiny Udogie’s agent Antonelli: “Inter and Juventus wanted to sign him, it’s true — but Tottenham have decided to pay €20m plus €6m add-ons so it was not possible for other clubs”, tells TMW. ⚪️ #THFC
“Spurs wanted him to stay in Italy on loan, it’s part of the strategy”. pic.twitter.com/MPhZ9tw4eB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 14, 2022
Now, according to the player’s agent Luca Antonelli, Tottenham was the only destination for the Verona native in the summer after Spurs were the only club to make the right financial offer to Serie A outfit Udinese Calcio and win the race for the highly-coveted youngster.
Perhaps most importantly was the fact that Udogie was tracked to remain in Friuli for the current 2022-23 Serie A season and continue his development at Dacia Arena under manager Andrea Sottil, and that decision has already paid dividends for all involved.
After a 3-1 win away at Sassuolo at the weekend, Udinese is currently embarking on a four-match winning run in the Italian top flight that has them in the thick of the fight for Champions League football next season, with Udogie joint-second in goals for the club this term and remains a key cog in the wheel for Sottil on the back of an outstanding 2021-22 campaign that put his name in the collective conscious across the continent.