Tottenham: Serge Aurier’s future, and options at RB in transfer window
By Aaron Coe
Options after Aurier for Spurs
The issue at right back is not so much if Serge stays, I think he should, it is what else is there whether Serge stays. Last season was supposed to be the breakout seasons for Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth. Unfortunately for Tottenham Hotspur, only one of the two, KWP, had a breakout and that was on loan at Southampton. Walker-Peters has since been permanently sold on to Southampton, leaving Foyth potentially with an opportunity.
Last season could not have started worse for Juan, after returning early to train with the club, Foyth was injured and unavailable for much of the season. He suffered an ankle injury in his early return and then later hurt his meniscus leaving him unavailable.
In between, there was a coaching change and an opportunity at first seemingly taken and then lost as Foyth was hauled off at halftime against Norwich, the last time he appeared for Spurs. Jose Mourinho, Foyth, and Spurs have some decisions to make on the young Argentine’s future, but I am not convinced it is at right back, but it could be.
Beyond Foyth and complicating his rise after KWP was loaned out, was the emergence of utility defender Japhet Tanganga. Tanganga quickly became a fan favorite for his effort and attention to detail as a defender. Although Tanganga too missed out on the last part of the season due to injury, at only 21 and having demonstrated he is capable at playing across anywhere on the backline, Tanganga may get a chance to back-up Aurier before Foyth. Of note, Tanganga also just signed a contract extension.
Ultimately, neither Foyth or Tanganga are proven as a right back, and if Aurier is not sold, that may be okay as they can provide necessary cover. However, if Aurier is sold, it sure leaves the team short at the position with two players who have never completed a season in the role. A few names have been associated with Spurs at right back this window, so who is on the list and what can they bring?