On the bench for Tottenham in their first game of the season against Aston Villa, Serge Aurier watched Kyle Walker-Peters run up and down his team’s right hand side for 90 minutes on Saturday.
Returning late from his holidays because of his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations for Ivory Coast, the defender might have to wait a bit longer to start a game, but he looks likely to remain at Spurs for the upcoming season.
At least, that’s what L’Equipe are suggesting on Monday, explaining Aurier was contacted by Paris Saint-Germain, his former side, over the summer after Leonardo was reappointed as director of football.
They claim the Brazilian picked up the phone and called the player to speak for him for ten minutes or so, as he was thinking about the ‘quite incredible’ possibility of bringing the Ivorian back to the Parc des Princes.
However, the idea didn’t go beyond that, especially after it became clear that no English clubs would be bidding for Thomas Meunier, who has now entered the final year of his contract with the Ligue 1 champions.
With Timo Kehrer, the aforementioned Belgian and Colin Dagba all capable of playing there, Thomas Tuchel doesn’t lack depth in the role, meaning Aurier is likely to stay at Tottenham.
On top of that, Kieran Trippier’s sale to Atlético Madrid leaves the Premier League side light in the position, even if Juan Foyth did play there late last season, and did so again for Argentina in the Copa America.
Until he familiarises himself further with the role, Aurier’s presence in the squad looks necessary.
