Badu vital for Udinese

At the tender age of 20, Udinese’s Emmanuel Badu is already turning heads throughout Europe as his fine displays at club and national level have left many impressed with his on-field capability.

Born in Berekum, Ghana, in December 1990, the versatile midfielder started off his career at Berekum Arsenal in 2007. His first and only season at the club saw him earn much praise where he was named in the Ghana Premier league All Star team for that season.

At the age of 18 Badu underwent trials at Middlesbrough and Wolves before signing a six-month loan contract with Recreativo de Huelva, once Berlin FC had bought his full ownership.

A year later he was on the move to the Italian peninsula to join the Friuli-based club Udinese, as well as earning a call up in to the Black Satellites squad where he helped lead his country win the U-20 Fifa World Cup.

Not only did they reach the final, but Badu scored the winning penalty, which saw Ghana become the first African nation to win the U-20 World Cup.

His impressive displays, strong temperament and hard work on the field saw him earn praise from onlookers all around the world.

Malu 'Mpasinkatu, a Sky and SportItalia commentator at the time, described the budding African as a player that “doesn’t consider failure as an option, and is among the most promising midfielders of entire competition, primarily because of his completeness and his technical ability”.

Badu has since found his way into first team football as a Zebretta, where he replaced the famous icon Gokhan Inler.

Many feared that he wouldn’t be able to cope with the pressure of taking over the position of such an influential player but he excelled in the deep-lying position.

Stringing together a run of impressive displays, Badu now owns a first team slot in Francesco Guidolin’s side; a manager who has managed to bring out the best in his young Ghanaian.

Badu not only brings versatility to the squad in his ability to play defensively and offensively, but he provides power and grit that is needed for a squad which is relatively new to European football.

His prominent physique, accelerating pace, high endurance level and discrete technique often sees the 5ft7 star come off on the better end of a challenge.

The passion, power and prominence Badu provides to the Bianconeri has undoubtedly made him a vital player to the squad that seems to be excelling both in Europe and in the Italian league.