Tottenham star Udogie withdraws from Italy U21 squad, replaced by another player of Nigerian descent 

Tottenham Hotspur left-back Destiny Udogie has withdrawn from the Italy U21 squad to face Latvia and Turkey in the 2025 European U21 Championship qualifiers.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed on their official  website on Monday that the 20-year-old will not be involved in the Azzurrini forthcoming matches due to fitness issues. 

He has been replaced by another Nigeria-eligible fullback in Fiorentina's Michael Kayode who netted the game-winning goal for Italy at the 2023 European U19 Championship final against Portugal. 

Udogie has been in scintillating form for an in-form Tottenham Hotspur side in the new Premier league season.

He was named in Alan Shearer's Premier league Team of the Week for matchday 3 and also made Whoscored's European Top 5 Leagues' U21 team of the week.

He also followed up that performance with another excellent display in Spurs' 5-2 thrashing over Burnley last weekend.

Udogie provided the assist for Tottenham Hotspur's third goal of the game in the 54th minute when his pass found James Maddison.

He has now taken his assist tally to two for Ange Postecoglou's  side in the Premier league this season.

Udogie will now have to wait to make his debut under new Azzurini coach Carmine Nunziata who guided Italy to final of the last FIFA U20 World Cup

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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