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‘Absolutely outstanding’… Paul Merson shocked that £15m player is at Tottenham Hotspur now
Paul Merson has given his verdict on Tottenham Hotspur and Italy international left-back Destiny Udogie.
The former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit has been hugely impressed by Udogie and has said that he is the best left-back in the Premier League at the moment.
So, what has Paul Merson said about Tottenham Hotspur left-back Destiny Udogie? Let’s take a look.
Paul Merson blown away by Tottenham Hotspur left-back Destiny Udogie
Well, Paul Merson thinks that Destiny Udogie is the best left-back in the Premier League at the moment.
The former Arsenal star cannot believe that it was Tottenham who managed to sign the left-back over other clubs. The North London club paid an initial £15 million () to Udinese for the youngster.
The Sky Sports pundit has named Udogie as the most underrated player in the Premier League.
Merson told about Udogie: “I think Destiny Udogie is the best left-back in the Premier League at the moment, where has this lad come from? Anyone could have bought him, but Spurs signed him in 2022 and loaned him back to Udinese, which seems to have worked wonders for him.
“Nevertheless, I find it hard to believe that with the technology and scouting system available in the game currently, no one else had a look at this guy! I watched him earlier in the season and he got booked after five minutes when he was playing against Bukayo Saka. After that, the Arsenal wideman didn’t have a kick, which was an early indication that he would be a player. I thought it might have been a fluke, but Udogie has gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed – he’s an absolutely outstanding talent.
“There are a lot of full-backs who are good going forward but can’t really defend, but Udogie is an all-round package, making him one of the most exciting players in the world in his position.
“He’s come back from Udinese and really flourished and is getting all the accolades now, so people might say he’s not really underrated. I just feel like after what he’s done this season, he deserves a mention, so he tops my list.”
My View: Destiny Udogie could become world class
In my opinion, Tottenham Hotspur left-back Destiny Udogie has the potential to be world class. I believe that the 21-year-old is a gem.
Former Aston Villa striker and talkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor recently said that Udogie is the best left-back in the Premier League. Jamie Carragher has also spoken highly of the 21-year-old.
And now Paul Merson has been singing his praises. It is clear that the left-back is starting to make pundits sit up and take notice of him.
Udogie may be just 21 now, but he already has a wealth of experience. That is because this is the third season in a row where the Italy international is playing regular first-team football.
The left-back has scored one goal and given two assists in 17 Premier League matches for Spurs this season.
Last season, the Italian defender scored three goals and gave four assists in 33 Serie A matches, while in 2021-22, he scored five goals and provided four assists in 35 league games.