With the emergence of Thomas Meunier and the arrival of Dani Alves to facilitate Neymar’s own transfer, Serge Aurier’s future at Paris Saint-Germain was nearly always going to be a difficult one.
Given the green light to sort out an exit while the rest of the club went on their pre-season tour, the Ivory Coast international ended up choosing Tottenham, where he now has to fight for a starting spot with Kieran Trippier.
So far, the 24-year-old has made 10 appearances in a Spurs shirt, and remains a backup to the Englishman, at least in the league.
Invited on the set of Canal Football Club in France, relayed by RMC Sport, Aurier was asked, once again, about his tumultuous past at Paris Saint-Germain, which also led to his decision to leave the French capital to move across the Channel to Tottenham.
He said: “I’m conscious [of what I did]. I’m intelligent, even if sometimes it doesn’t seem that way. I’ve always made important and interesting choices in my career. After a while, you become aware that things are difficult for the kids who watch us and are our fans.
“Of course I would have liked to stay at PSG. It’s the club of my heart. I come from Sevran. I’m from Paris. There’s nothing better than playing for the club you love.”
The right-back revealed he just couldn’t stay there anymore, as every little thing he did was scrutinised and put down.
He continued: “I wasn’t being judged on my performances. When I was good, they said I was normal. When I wasn’t as good, they said I was mediocre. I was ready, but it was too hard for my family. When I felt they weren’t at ease, the best solution was to leave.”
As the saying goes, one man’s loss is another’s gain, and while he might have preferred to stay in Paris, Aurier has found a new home at Wembley, and seems fully committed to the cause.
Next up for him, probably a start against APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League on Wednesday.
