Tottenham Hotspur defender Serge Aurier says he is happy to stay at the club after an injury-hit 2018/19 season – but does he deserve more first-team opportunities next year?
Football.London report that Aurier is confident he will feature more regularly next term and is looking to use the African Cup of Nations to improve his fitness ahead of pre-season.
Right-back is a position Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino does not lack options, with Aurier, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker-Peters all vying for a starting spot.
Trippier has made the most appearances this term but Aurier is a different kind of player, who despite sometimes lacking defensively is able to use his pace to pose a real threat on the attack.
The fact that he joined the club from Paris Saint Germain for £23m means he has undoubted ability, but unfortunately, he has not been able to consistently show that to date in a Spurs shirt.
Should Trippier leave this summer, with a move to Napoli reportedly on the cards, Aurier is likely to jump to the front of the right-back queue.
His big match experience, having represented both Spurs and PSG in the Champions League, can only be beneficial to the North London club as they look to cement their place in the competition in the years to come.
However, should he fail to find consistency then Walker-Peters may be a better long-term option, given the fact he has held his own when given the chance and is a product of the club’s youth academy.
