'Facing some of the best strikers in the world' - Tottenham manager defends Udogie's disciplinary record

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has defended Destiny Udogie over his poor disciplinary record, with the left back walking a tightrope on Thursday night when the Lilywhites battle West Ham United in a London derby.

The Italy international of Nigerian descent missed Tottenham's defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers on November 11 as a result of the red card he received during the second half against Chelsea on matchday 11.

Postecoglou and Udogie know that if the defender is shown a yellow card at the London Stadium, he will not be able to participate in Sunday's meeting with Newcastle United due to accumulated bookings. 

The 21-year-old was first cautioned on his home debut against Manchester United, before picking up yellow cards versus Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. 

In all fairness to Udogie, he came up against some of the best wingers in the Premier League in those games he was booked, including Antony, Bukayo Saka, Mohamed Salah, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden. 

Reacting to Udogie and Cristian Romero's disciplinary record, Ange Postecoglou was quoted as saying by Football. London: "Look, they are defenders, they are put in that position and I think Destiny has been unlucky a couple of times, but at the same time you need that part of your game to be there as a defender, particularly in the Premier League.

"You are facing some of the best strikers in the world and attacking players. Part of what they bring to the game is physicality and Destiny, particularly, for a full-back is so quick and so powerful, so we don't want to take that away from him.

"But, there is a broader consequence for those kind of things and when you talk about discipline, it is not just about getting yellow or red cards. "

As per Premier League rules, any player who receives five yellow cards in the first 19 games of the season will be handed a one-match ban.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: tottenhamhotspur.com

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