Destiny Udogie has been speaking about his 'big brother' Guglielmo Vicario after the Tottenham goalkeeper's injury amid other subjects in his Tottenham press conference ahead of the Europa League match against Roma.
The 21-year-old left-back was put in front of the media at Hotspur Way on Wednesday afternoon to answer questions ahead of the European clash. Udogie was asked about his compatriot Vicario as well as other topics surrounding the club, including Rodrigo Bentancur's ban as well as Djed Spence's turnaround in his Spurs career.
Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to the Italy international and you can scroll down for every single word the young left-back said to him and the assembled media.
How disappointing is it to lose Guglielmo Vicario to injury?
We’re going to miss him. In the group, he’s a great leader, and a great player, he will be missed. During the game, he had a bad fracture of his ankle but to keep going showed a lot of character.
Have you spoken to him?
I spoke to him on the day after, asked how was going, and he told me had the operation and will be out for a while. We are just waiting for him to be back.
How does the team make sure the right Tottenham turns up this week?
Yes, it has been difficult because we haven’t really found right consistency but working every day to find the consistency. Today, we have big momentum from the big win last week and another game tomorrow. We will try to win the right momentum.
Ange Postecoglou always wins in his second season, does that put extra pressure on you as players to continue that trend?
We all want to win something because, as the manager said, we’re a group of players who want to win. Every game try to win. Every competition we’re in it for a reason, hopefully we can get something from it.
How would you compare this season to the last?
I think this season is the second season together, we understand each other more, know the gaffer better, the style, we go out there knowing each other better. I think this is the big difference and we have more confidence in our ability and understanding.
What was the reaction to Rodrigo Bentancur's ban in the dressing room?
Obviously, we knew was coming so expected it but just the number of games he's going to miss is a bit heavy but yes.
With Vicario, just how tough is he to play 60 minutes on a fractured ankle?
Honestly, I always knew Vicario was different, he is a great guy with strong mentality. For him to play 60 minutes with fractured ankle says a lot about him and I really respect that. As a big brother, I know it is hard when you go and have an operation. I just wish him the best and can’t wait for him to be back.
Is Fraser Forster good enough to fill the gap as you've lost a leader in Vicario?
No, definitely, Fraser is a leader as well. He’s been playing football for a while. So he is going to help us a lot and show his quality every game.
This is your second season at Tottenham, been a lot of good left-footed players at the club, what are your ambitions?
Yeah, second season. Last season I had a great season, but I have always believed in myself and I adapted well. I knew I could adapt and I thought I adapted well. Playing Premier League was always a dream for me but at the same time, I don't have any arrival points, I can always do more. I can always try to improve and build to improve and work to improve. In terms of left-footed players before me, there has been plenty and I can think of (Danny) Rose as a name.
Ange said recently players in their second season with him get used to his training sessions and are more robust. We saw you go off injured against City but here you are again already, so are you feeling stronger in your second season?
Yeah obviously I think the way we train is really hard. As the gaffer said, no one trains like us because really we train hard. I think it is something that gives us more condition to win the game and play 90 minutes at a high level. I think we show this every game.
He can't play in this game but what have you made of Djed Spence this season, really turning his Tottenham career around?
Obviously I think Djed is an incredible player. We're really close friends, we speak a lot and try to help each other in the game. As everyone in the group, you have to help and I hope he can help us as much [as he can].
You've just beaten Man City 4-0, within the dressing room what does the team feel it can achieve?
Obviously as a team we know our quality, we believe in ourselves and every game we want to win. Sometimes it doesn't happen but we know we can do it and we're just focused every game, game after game. We won Saturday but now the focus is on tomorrow and then Sunday. It's step by step and game after game.
The team has been inconsistent and you have had good games but Brighton felt difficult, what did you learn from that?
When I have a bad game, I always try to watch it back. I see my mistakes and try to improve from them. Going into the international break, it was, 'OK I had a bad game, I focus on Italy and try to reset and be ready for the next game.' I try to come back from setbacks.
How enjoyable is it to play as a full-back in Ange's system?
It's really nice because we have the freedom to play in the middle of the pitch. For us, it's not easy because we need to run, come back and attack, but at the same time it's really enjoyable. We can make assists and score.
How long does it take to get used to a change of goalkeeper, like them coming for crosses, and how they position etc?
Honestly I don't think it's going to take long because Fraser or Brandon (Austin), they train with us every day so they know our system, they know the way we play and the way we defend, I think it's going to be easy and he's a great goalkeeper as well. He's going to be ready to step in and help us.