Ange Postecoglou explains why Destiny Udogie excites him and why he wanted Guglielmo Vicario
The Tottenham Hotspur head coach has been speaking about some of his new young players who have made a big impact at the club
Ange Postecoglou has explained why Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie made such a big impression on him before they made their Tottenham impact this season.
Both players have slotted in perfectly to the Australian’s system and have drawn plaudits for their performances so far in the Premier League. Vicario has become Tottenham’s first new main goalkeeper in 11 years after Hugo Lloris announced his intention to find a fresh challenge, one he is yet to find.
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Postecoglou admitted that when he was presented with potential Lloris replacements that fit his system by the club’s recruitment department, the 26-year-old Vicario stood out.
“It was probably the priority position when I came in because at the time it looked like Hugo was moving on and there was a need for a new starting goalkeeper,” he said. “You get presented with some options and I just really liked Vic from the start in terms of the characteristics he has as a goalkeeper – his agility, his demeanour, his character.
“Then I spoke to him and he’s just such an infectious personality. He was so determined. He was so determined he wanted to come to Tottenham and prove himself at the next level. If you look at his career, he hasn’t had a long time at the top level, similar to Micky van de Ven and a couple of others.
“I like players who have worked their way up from a low level very quickly because it shows that they adapt very quickly but also that they’re coachable, that they learn, and you look at Vic, and he’s taken big steps very, very quickly and he’s been absolutely outstanding for us in the first six or seven games.
“He’s been a really strong influence on the field in the big moments when we’ve needed him and he comes in every day and wants to improve, and that’s exactly what we need.”
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When it came to Udogie, Postecoglou looked at the Italy U21 international left-back carefully following his loan season back at Udinese, having signed for Spurs a year ago.
“When I got the role I had a look at all the players who were out on loan last year and Destiny was one. I really liked his profile. Physically he’s got outstanding attributes but he obviously played a different style of football in terms of a lot of times he was used as an attacking wing-back,” he said.
“He made a real impact in a tough league as a young man. Serie A is a tough league. He handled himself really well and it was one of those where as soon as we got him in I could see that he wants to improve every day.
“He’s got outstanding attributes and for a 20-year-old he’s already had some really big challenges defensively and he’s handled himself so well. When he has the ball and he runs forward he looks exciting. I’m really pleased to have him in the group.”
Udogie was up against Bukayo Saka last weekend, improving with every passing minute of the match against Arsenal until he eventually dominated that flank, and now the young Italian faces the equally imposing threat of Mohamed Salah this Saturday when Liverpool come to town.
“That’s the Premier League. That’s why he’s here,” said Postecoglou. “There’s no greater learning curve for him. That’s the good thing. You saw last week, he had to work really hard against a top opponent but in the end he came out pretty good and he can’t rest on that because he’s got Salah this week and then he’ll have somebody else, a Grealish or someone else, coming in the next weeks and he’s got to cope with all of it, but so far he’s doing very well.”
So what is the secret to Postecoglou’s ability to incorporate new and mostly young players into his team, with Pedro Porro and Pape Matar Sarr also excelling under him after mixed first seasons at the club?
“It just depends. You’ve got to make sure young players are going to be able to handle what comes playing at this level. You certainly don’t want to expose them too early because it can have a detrimental effect,” explained the Australian. “I’ve always felt – and again it’s something that’s been consistent when I’m building teams – I try to give them as much security as I possibly can, for them to know that there’s nothing that’s going to happen out there that’s going to be terminal in terms of their careers.
“‘Don’t stress about the mistakes, don’t stress about not playing well. I’ll back you – as long as I’m seeing that you’re improving and working hard and doing all the things I need you to do.’ Because part of that stress as a young player is feeling like you need to play really well to keep your place in the team and fearing that if you make a mistake in front of the whole world that’s going to cost you something.
“It’s not just about the young players, all of us are in the same boat. We’re setting off on a new course and there’s potential it won’t work. So we’re all feeling the same. I’m no different to them, because I’m sure if after the first seven games, we were on two wins instead of four, I’m sure [the chairman] would be on at me right now.
“It’s not how I think. It’s not how I’m wired, I don’t care about that. This is what we’re doing. We’re going to go down this road and be successful and I try to provide that framework so at least it releases that anxiety and they can play as themselves, and then it’s up to them.
“There’s no guarantee. If their performances drop, then of course they won’t play but I think it helps the young players focus on being as much themselves without stressing too much about outcomes.”
