Destiny Udogie: Flourishing partnership can fix Tottenham's big balance problem | OneFootball

Spurs look more potent in attack with the first signs of a new link-up on the left

Having picked the ball up on the edge of his own box, Van de Ven was by now at top speed and motoring away from the fourth Copenhagen player to desperately try and stay with him.

The Dutchman continued on his merry way and slotted in to effectively put the match to bed with the third goal in Tottenham's 4-0 win.

Udogie was proved right and it only added to what was a superb night for the left-back on his return to the side.

Destiny Udogie reacting to Micky van de Ven’s solo run

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This win was the first match Udogie had started in exactly a month, having shaken off the knee injury that had kept him sidelined. Within four minutes, he had made it very clear what Spurs have been missing.

In the opening 60 seconds, a lovely one-two with Odobert got Udogie in behind to force a corner and the Italian was in again shortly after, this time his cut-back getting cleared away.

Udogie was central to everything Spurs were doing in attack, one sharp turn in a more central position leading to Xavi Simons being found and firing a deflected shot wide.

The balance of the side looked much better than it has for the majority of the season. Udogie's overlapping runs on the left wing create the space inside for Odobert and Simons in the way that Djed Spence, a right-footer, does not.

In possession it was almost a 3-2-5 for Spurs. Udogie pushed up as a forward out wide, with Odobert and Simons as the two No10s off Randal Kolo Muani and Brennan Johnson keeping the width on the opposite flank.

Frank should be brave and allow the Udogie-Odobert partnership to flourish

There was plenty of rotation, though, with Udogie at times drifting inside almost as a striker and Odobert and Kolo Muani moving out to the wing.

Copenhagen were poor and allowed Spurs far too much space, but this was still as fluid as Thomas Frank's side have looked for large periods.

The challenge is now taking those promising signs into the Premier League performances, starting at home to Manchester United on Saturday.

Frank likes to tweak and set his side up to nullify the opposition, but there was enough evidence here to suggest he should be brave and allow the Udogie-Odobert partnership to flourish.

There were signs of it working well against Leeds before the international break, only for injuries to then make it a month until they got another opportunity to start again.

Destiny Udogie training with Spurs this week

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Spurs might lose something defensively without Spence, but the attacking payoff makes it worth it. Udogie offers the direct running and positive intent that Spurs have had too little of this season.

There is a danger of Pedro Porro being run into the ground at right-back, so Spence could be better used in rotating with the Spaniard on that side of the defence, with Udogie the first-choice option on the left.

There has been so much chopping and changing on that wing for Spurs this season that is almost inevitable it has looked disjointed.

Assuming Udogie can stay fit, which is always far from certain, a more settled approach to that flank appears the best way forward.