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With Kieran Trippier recovering from a groin injury, Serge Aurier was the designated right-back against Chelsea at the weekend, and boy did he deliver.

The Ivory Coast international’s performance against Maurizio Sarri’s men was lauded throughout the English media as Tottenham walked away 3-1 winners at Wembley, and he’s likely to start again against Inter midweek in the Champions League.

However, this hasn’t always been the case this season, as the start against Chelsea was only his fourth of the campaign in the league.

During the international break, during which he represented his nation, the defender sat down with RTI to discuss various things, including his status as a sub for his club, and he’s surprisingly fine with it.

He said: “They’re choices. You need to accept them. I’ve grown a lot and I’ve evolved in certain areas. In the past, I wouldn’t have been happy with it, I might have blown a fuse, but today I accept it. Why? Maybe because I’m stronger mentally and I tell myself I need to be good in every game.

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“I’ve always started in each of my clubs. These days, it’s the opposite. How do I deal with it? When I play, it’s because I deserve it. If I don’t, it’s because the manager doesn’t feel like I do. What do I need to do then? Work, never give up. That’s my mentality.”

The defender then went on to explain that he would never go and ask the manager why he wasn’t playing, as he feels that’s a sign of ‘weakness’.

As for whether the thought of leaving Tottenham has ever crossed his mind?

He replied: “No, I’m fine here, and then, when I’m with the national team, I’m happy, because people here trust me. I’m 100% and I play games in the way I want to play them.”

If he carries on performing like he did against Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino might not have a choice but to start him more, and that’s exactly what Aurier wants.