By Gabriel Agbonlahor

26th Oct, 2023 | 5:50pm

Destiny Udogie is the player 'Tottenham were crying out for' - Agbonlahor

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Destiny Udogie has been a “revelation” for Tottenham and has “transformed” their defence alongside Micky van de Ven.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 20-year-old is the “perfect left-back” and has made just as big an impact as box-office summer arrivals James Maddison and Van de Ven.

Udogie has started all nine of Tottenham’s Premier League games this season, grabbing two assists.

He was withdrawn early in the second half of Spurs’ win over Fulham on Monday (23 October) – but Ange Postecoglou revealed post-match that he was simply suffering from tiredness.

That news will come as a relief for Tottenham fans ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace on Friday (27 October).

Udogie cost the Lilywhites a reported fee of £15million last year (2022) and spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan at ex-club Udinese.

He has become a key man for Postecoglou’s side – who sit top of the Premier League after nine games.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I really like Udogie.

“I’ve watched him a lot this season. He struggled initially with Saka in the derby, but in the second half – he was outstanding. Almost any left-back left one-on-one with Saka would struggle but he owned him.

“He’s strong, he’s quick, he’s good on the ball, he can get into dangerous areas and get assists – he’s the left-back and player Tottenham were crying out for.

“He’s the perfect left-back because he’s taller than the average, and he’s strong and aggressive.

“For me, he’s been a revelation alongside Van de Ven and they’ve really transformed that defence, just as much as Maddison has transformed them at the other end”.

In other news, Tottenham could sign Darwin Nunez ally in real bargain.