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Former AC Milan, goalkeeping coach Luigi Turci has warned Maduka Okoye that he must improve his performances to retain his place as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The Udinese shot-stopper has come under scrutiny following a series of below-par performances at the start of the campaign, having conceded 13 goals in the opening six games.
Okoye’s life away from the pitch has also attracted public attention, with viral dating rumours linking him to prominent models and celebrities.
Udinese coach Kosta Runjaic did not hold back in his criticism of the Super Eagles goalkeeper following a costly mistake that led to Torino’s winning goal in their Serie A clash on Monday.
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Okoye had come off his line to deal with a long ball but collided with teammate Nicolo Bertola, allowing Sandro Kulenović to capitalise and score what proved to be the winner. Speaking about whether Okoye should start against Lecce, Turci argued that goalkeepers should not be punished simply because they have made a mistake.
“Because after a mistake like that, there’s no point in holding a goalkeeper to punish him,” he told Messaggero Veneto. “Looking at it from the outside, Okoye must have the utmost confidence and be the starting player against Lecce, provided he’s calm, something Brunner and Marcon, who coach him, will evaluate.” Although Turci has expressed support for the Nigeria international, he made it clear that such backing cannot last indefinitely without convincing performances.
“It’s also clear that credit has a deadline, and he has to earn his keep, because if you don’t provide guarantees in the long run, there’s nothing written in the contract that says you can’t be replaced.”
Signed from Watford in August 2023, Okoye has a contract with Udinese until June 30, 2028.
