Destiny Udogie: I want to scale Marcelo's heights and help Spurs end long wait for trophy

Photo Credits: Alessandro Schiavone

By Alessandro Schiavone at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Tottenham 2-2 Wolverhampton

Destiny Udogie has his sights set on emulating Real Madrid legend Marcelo's stellar career.

And that's certainly a tall order. 

Because the Brazilian has bagged a staggering 28 major trophies, including FIVE Champions Leagues and six La Liga titles. He is also widely regarded as one of the finest left-backs to ever play the game.

Tottenham's Italian defender has seen his reputation grow in leaps and bounds over the past 15 months.

But he admitted that he has some fine-tuning to do if he's ever to stand a chance of following in his idol's illustrious footsteps.

He told Capital Football: "To reach Marcelo's level many aspects of my game need to improve such as my concentration levels. 

"I'd also like to create more chances for the team and raise my performances in general. 

"To do that, it helps if you enjoy yourself out there. 

"I've always liked watching Marcelo play. 

"I fell head over heels with the way he plays the game and his style. 

"And I definitely have the ambition to go on and have a big career like his. 

"But first things first, my aim is to improve day by day, then we will see. 

"Zambrotta and Maldini also had phenomenal careers and they are also an inspiration for me. 

"My goal is to get to the very top. My parents calling me 'Destiny' is a coincidence. Let's see what my destiny will be."

Udogie, 21, pinpointed a "lack of consistency" as the reason why Tottenham often fall by the wayside in the title race. Ange Postecoglou's mercurial sice can beat anyone as they showed in their 4-0 drubbing of Manchrster City and two wins over Manchester United and Aston Villa. But likewise and alarmingly so they are not exempt of a faux pas as their defeats against Bournemouth and Ipswich epitomize. Or more recently their 2-2 draw against a resurgent Wolverhampton team.

Udogie lamented: "Consistency is all we're lacking! 

"As soon as we find that, the way will be paved for us. 

"I think we need to find the belief that we need to win games.

"I agree that we do well against big clubs and struggle against lower opposition. 

"But Tottenham always seek to win through beautiful football. Yet for that to happen, we need to be consistent in every game. That's the only way we get results."

The nine-cap Italy international has credited Ange Postecoglou for making him feel "safe" by not throwing a tantrum if he makes mistakes.

He said: "From the first day Postecoglou has given me that feeling of safety. 

"He's shown faith in me to go out there, play, make mistakes and grow.

"That's the most important thing because if you don't make mistakes you stand still. 

"So yes, mistakes are definitely what I need to progress."

Udogie said he aims to etch his name into Tottenham's folklore by helping the club end its 17-year wait for a trophy.

And Udogie said: "The season's long... so you never know. 

"We take it game by game and in the end we see. 

"Our chief target is to win a trophy, we're still in every competition so everything is possible."