Jose Mourinho has told Serge Aurier that he can help make him one of the best right-backs in the world, according to Foot Mercato.
After being given a chance to make the right-back spot his own this season following the sale of Kieran Trippier, the Ivorian fluffed his lines.
By the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s reign, most fans had lost their patience with Aurier and wanted him on the first flight back to France.
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The former Paris Saint-Germain defender spent eight years in Ligue 1 before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 and there remains strong interest in his career from across the channel with Foot Mercato claiming exclusive insight to a conversation between Aurier and Mourinho.
Mourinho, who wanted to sign Aurier for Manchester United, reportedly told the 26-year-old that he already rates him highly among his Premier League contemporaries, and that he could develop into one the best right-backs in the world, if he acts more focussed on and off the pitch.
Aurier is understood to have smiled at this suggestion, to which the new Spurs boss supposedly replied: “I’m not joking. If you think you’ll be able to make fun of me on social networks like you did with your former coach, you’re wrong,” – referring to an incident with Laurent Blanc at PSG.
There is no doubt that Aurier’s attacking output has been impressive since Mourinho’s arrival, with three assists and a goal in five matches playing as an advanced right-back with slightly diluted defensive responsibilities.
However, until he can prove that he can be consistent defensively I see no way that he can reach the levels that Mourinho has suggested, and be our long-term right-back. We’ve seen him have two or three good games before and then…bang; red card or penalty. Is it not too late for him to change?
