Spurs defender in WhoScored team of the week

Tottenham Hotspur defender Destiny Udogie has been named in the WhoScored team of the week for gameweek eight of the 24/25 Premier League season.

The XI is; Bart Verbruggen, Aaron-Wan Bissaka, Michael Keane, Ethan Pinnock, Destiny Udogie; Curtis Jones, Casemiro; Facundo Buonanotte, Elliot Anderson, Alejandro Garnacho; Chris Wood.

For any Spurs fans thinking that the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Heung Min-Son have been hard done by, remember that the team of the week is based on their algorithm, rather than somebodies subjective opinion. Son was given an 8.21 rating, to Garnacho’s 8.46 – whilst Kulusevski received an 8.1, to Jones’ 8.28, and Casemiro’s 8.16 – all based on the algorithm.

During the win over West Ham, Udogie recorded; one blocked shot, one clearance off the line, one interception, three tackles, 3 chances created, one big chance created, one big chance created, 1/1 long balls, and two fouls drawn.

The Italian defender did receive some criticism for West Ham’s goal, with Jarrod Bowen going round him on the outside before cutting the ball back to Mohammed Kudus. However, sometimes goals are more about good attacking play than simply bad defending.

Seeing a left-footed wide forward like Bowen down the outside is what a lot of players would do, it just happened to be excellent play on his weaker foot. If Udogie had stopped Bowen going down the line, and let him cut inside onto his stronger left foot – there would have been plenty of criticism should he have found the back of the net. It happens.

Even if he was at fault for the goal, he more than made up for it in the second period, with his part to play in Bissouma’s goal to go ahead. The 22-year old made a fantastic run inside the box from an outside of the foot Son pass, before having the composure to feign a cross, spin round instead, and cut the ball back for Bissouma to fire Spurs in front.

Whilst it has not all been perfect from Udogie this season, particularly in the game against Brighton and Hove Albion where he had an absolute nightmare in the second half, he has generally been very good in the most part this season. He has taken his attacking displays into the national team too, picking up two assists from the bench so far for Italy in their nations league campaign.

Top stuff, and very well deserved.