Udinese of Italy goalkeeper Maduka Emilio Okoye has disclosed that he is thinking big ahead of the new Serie A season, although he may have to exchange starting roles with two other shot-stoppers in the Udine-based club’s squad.
Sports247 reports that, rather than feel threatened by the presence of the youthful Edoardo Piana and veteran Daniele Padelli as alternative netminders in the team, Maduka said he is happy that they will both keep him on his toes, even as he went on to state his commitment to the team.
Okoye’s declaration comes at a point in which speculation is rising that he could be on his way out of Udinese, but the shot-stopper, who will clock 27 years old next week Friday, stressed that he remains loyal to the club and is already focused on lining out for the team this season.
This is in contrast with reports linking him with top Serie A sides, Juventus and Inter Milan, as the mulatto keeper, who was born in Düsseldorf, Germany to a Nigerian father and German mother, brushed aside all transfer speculation, stressing that his heart is with Udinese.
Having previously shown his quality at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf of Germany, as well as Sparta Rotterdam of Netherlands and Watford of England, Okoye is relishing the opportunity he has to continue waxing strong in Udine.
Okoye, who kept a clean sheet in his side’s 1-0 Coppa Italia win over Padova last weekend, told Tuttoudinese: “We’re ready. We’ve worked so hard over the past few weeks, and we’re all pumped up for the start of the season. Personally, I want to give everything for Udinese and for our fans.
“These things are part of my life. When I’m here, I think about my work and Udinese. We’re in good hands. Piana is a young goalkeeper and has great talent. Then we have Padelli, who brings a lot of quality but, above all, immense experience. I’m excited to see how the boys develop.”
