Tottenham right-back target a balance between risk and reward

Mauricio Pochettino’s emphasis on squad harmony might preclude the latest right-back linked with Tottenham.

A rumor began circulating a few weeks back that Tottenham might be interested in Paris Saint Germain and Ivory Coast right-back Serge Aurier.

If this rumor — the latest news of which is passed on by the Guardian — is true, it represents a pretty exciting prospect for Spurs fans — at least on paper.

Aurier, still young at 24-years-old, is a dynamic, kinetic presence on the right-flank, similar to Kyle Walker in that he is capable of controlling that side of the pitch all on his own.

With Tottenham’s attack still very much centrally-focused, having another such player as Walker stretching play and providing width when not defending might prove invaluable.

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Now, of course, Kieran Trippier remains set to be Pochettino’s first choice right-back when the season starts. He was awarded a new contract just recently, after all, though his performances over the course of Spurs’ three preseason friendlies in the United States left something to be desired.

The Englishman’s game is very much focused in the opposition’s half. When it comes to dropping deep and taking on defensive responsibilities, Trippier is significantly less of an asset.

Aurier’s game is a bit more complete than Trippier’s, making him perhaps a better fit for Pochettino’s game — at least on paper.

Two factors complicate that view however.

One, acquiring Aurier would mean dipping into the kitty built by the sale of Walker. That’s money that might be better spent elsewhere on the pitch, where more depth could be added more cheaply than convincing PSG to part with Aurier.

Two, there’s the not-so-small matter of Aurier’s temperament. As fiery as he is on the pitch, he might be moreso off of it.

In just two short years with PSG, he’s managed to alienate not only Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but coach Laurent Blanc as well. He assaulted a police officer, earning a two month jail sentence as a result. Less outrageous but no less disturbing: while on international duty with the Ivory Coast last fall, he made an overly violent gesture in celebration of an opposition own goal.

None of which hints that Aurier would seamlessly slide into Pochettino’s team-centric work ethic and discipline. He is the textbook definition of a loose cannon, a trait that should preclude him from a move to Spurs without even considering the transfer fee.

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It makes much more sense for Aurier to move to a club that is personality-driven, with a coach that is just as volatile. A team like, say, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

Indeed, at publication, it seems like that deal might actually be going through. Pochettino and Spurs fans everywhere might soon bear witness to the bullet just dodged.