On the latest episode of The Extra Inch podcast, Chris Miller, Nathan Clark and Bardi have been discussing some of the latest goings-on at Tottenham Hotspur, reflecting on Spurs’ start to pre-season and answering questions regarding tactics and transfers from fans of the show.
One topic of discussion on the recent episode, which was titled ‘We’re back for a pre-season round-up‘, was Spurs defender Serge Aurier. Coming off the back of a fairly impressive campaign, in which he was rated as Spurs’ third-best player in the Premier League, the former PSG man has been heavily linked with a move to both AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen in recent weeks. It seems likely that he will depart Spurs in the not too distant future.
However, it seems as if those on the podcast won’t be too disappointed to see him leave, based on their comments, with Clark first saying:
“He makes just negative IQ decisions on a semi-regular basis. I know, fair play, he’s definitely cut down on them, but [it’s] still too many for my liking.”
Miller then agrees, saying:
“It’s not just the big ones either, it’s the little ones that happen that for some people will go unnoticed, but he’s just switched off and let his man run past him for no apparent reason. He plays like an 18-year-old still.”
Bardi then adds his thoughts on the Ivory Coast international, saying:
“I think it’s more his attacking that annoys me more than his defending. He wasted an incredible amount of opportunities, and for a role that’s so crucial in how [Jose] Mourinho is trying to play, he does waste a lot of the football.”
TIF Thoughts…
Aurier registered five assists in the most recent Premier League season, which suggests that he can be a threat going forward, but clearly those on the podcast feel that he should have been producing a lot more quality considering the number of opportunities he was presented, with the £14.4 million-rated ace registering a disappointing 14% cross accuracy rate last season (per Premier League).
Do you agree that Aurier isn't good enough offensively?
Yes
No
It will be interesting to see if the right-back Spurs perhaps sign to replace Aurier will be any better defensively and offensively than his predecessor.