Speaking on the latest episode of Everton News Daily, Toffee TV presenter Barry Cass was unsure over links suggesting the Toffees could move for Serge Aurier.
Everton, once again, failed to bring in a new right-back over the summer as the club appeared to put their trust in Seamus Coleman, however, the Republic of Ireland international is now injured having picked up the problem with his national side.
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Now, the Toffees have just Jonjoe Kenny as a natural right-back, and if he doesn’t perform or picks up a knock himself, they could be left to call upon an unnatural fill-in such as Mason Holgate, which has led to links suggesting they could move for free agent Serge Aurier, who has the experience of 77 Premier League games to his name.
Cass was coy over Everton potentially signing Aurier.
“Quite clearly, the club have identified the need to strengthen that area [right-back] as well. [They] didn’t do it, and that’s why there are links continuing today with a move for former Tottenham defender Serge Aurier, who had his contract cancelled last week [and] is now a free agent.
“My fears with that one will be he’s got no club, will want big money, [he’s] 28; a short-term deal would be ideal, but whether or not that will be done remains to be seen.”
TIF Thoughts on Aurier potentially going to Everton…
The Toffees are certainly not blessed for choices in the right-back department, so it may be a case of beggars can’t be choosers as Aurier continues to be linked with a move to Goodison Park, and given his Premier League and European experience, it could be an astute piece of business if Rafael Benitez could get him focused.
The only problem that surrounds Aurier is his lapses in concentration and errors at the back, which have seen the Ivorian come in for criticism in the past.
He also finished top of the rankings for errors leading to a shot by the opposition in the Tottenham Hotspur squad last campaign (as per FBRef), and considering how defensively solid Everton have been under Benitez so far, conceding just three goals in the league, Aurier may not be a great fit.