Rescued from a difficult situation at Paris Saint-Germain, Serge Aurier was looking for a fresh start at Tottenham.
However, now in his third season as part of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, the defender is still struggling to be a regular in the Argentine’s team, even going as far as wanting to leave this summer in search of more game time.
He’s admitted as much, and while he has started the odd game here and there, he knew he was never going to be the first name on the team sheet after his summer outbursts, and is now just trying to play as much as possible.
He told the press in a conference, relayed by Sport Ivoire: “I was looking for an exit, so I couldn’t play. When you’re trying to move, you can’t play because an injury or whatever else can scupper everything. I wanted to leave so it was normal for me to not be on the pitch.
“Beyond that, it’s the manager’s decision, he’s the one who decides what’s best for the group. Like I’ve said, the season is long so we’ll try and be performant going forward and for what comes next”.
The player was also asked why he wanted to leave, despite him never really getting any real chance of an exit, while Kieran Trippier was sold to Atlético Madrid in his stead.
He said: “That desire to leave, I think it’s a bit normal. I’m an important player of the national team. I’m not 20 anymore and I need to play, to be happy… There are situations that mean you need to make a decision. I’m a big boy and a dad, so there are choices that are good for me and my family.
“But I’m not the only one who decides. Today, the window is closed so I’m focusing on my club and we’ll see what happens later. I’m not disappointed to have stayed because that will allow me to surpass myself, to have a very good season and we’ll see. The boss has the last word and here the boss is the manager”.
Since the start of the 2019-20 campaign, Aurier has made four appearances in all competitions, including three successive starts against Crystal Palace, Leicester and Southampton in the Premier League before being sent off in that last fixture after picking up two yellows.
