Who will start at right back for Tottenham Hotspur?
Ben Davies has Spurs’ left side sewn up. Rumors continue to circulate about the future of the right fullback position on Tottenham Hotspur for next season.
Having already looked at last season’s defense as a unit for Tottenham Hotspur as well as the future of the left back position, it is time to turn my attention to the right back position. Of all the defensive positions on the team, right back is the one that has grabbed most of the attention this offseason, and whether Serge Aurier is sold it is attention the position should be receiving.
When Kyle Walker was sold in July of 2017, Spurs had a first team replacement in only months later as Serge Aurier joined from PSG in August of 2017. However, when Walkers’ then competition Kyle Naughton was sold in the summer of 2014, it took Spurs a full season before they brought in Kieran Trippier as a replacement and competition for Walker. Now, several years later, Aurier is in the role of loan first team right back, like Kyle Walker was before him.
The question is, who is the next Trippier coming in for competition and just how much longer is Aurier going to remain at Tottenham?
Spurs and Serge Aurier
I would like to be able to say Aurier will not be sold until a replacement or even two is identified and signed, but the reality is, that is not how Spurs often work. To have the funds to bring in a new player, someone usually must go out. While Spurs have spent in the red several times in the last few seasons, given the current global fiscal condition from the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be foolhardy to assume Daniel Levy and Tottenham Hotspur will open the purse strings and spend before a player is sold.
So, this brings us to the first real question on Serge Aurier: will he be sold and does he want to leave? Given his playing time and commitment from the past season, neither reflected a player ready to leave the club. Serge played the joint highest number of matches for Tottenham this past season – 42 matches, the same as Toby Alderweireld – and was second to Toby in minutes with over 3,500 minutes on the pitch on the season.
Beyond the enormous number of minutes Serge played, regardless of what people may think, he was quite productive. Aurier is often criticized for his crossing, yet he managed eight assists on the season, which was as many as Tanguy Ndombele and Erik Lamela combined.
This is the result of the focus Spurs have put on using the right flank for attack over the last season as is the fact that Aurier was third on the team in attempted passes behind only Alderweireld and Harry Winks. While his percentage may leave something to be desired at just under 80, Aurier is a consistent outlet and often a focal point in the attack.
Ultimately, nothing concrete has come out about Aurier being sold or even wanting to leave, although AC Milan keeps getting thrown out there. The truth is, neither the club nor Aurier have given any indication that Aurier is going anywhere. A guy who plays the day after his brother passed away is committed to the team and frankly the team should be committed to a guy like that.
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?
Options in the transfer market
The first name that everyone has said for a season now is Max Aarons of recently relegated Norwich. While Aarons does have a complete Premier League season under his belt, he is on the smaller side and would not be my first choice, just as he does not seem to be Jose’s first choice. So, who else is out there for Spurs to consider at the position?
Other names floated about whether by journalists, fans or both include; Timothy Castagne, the Belgian wingback from Atalanta in Serie A, and Turkish back Zeki Celik from Lillie in Ligue 1. While nothing firm has been seen on the signing of either defender, the fact that Spurs just signed Joe Hart as third choice keeper fulfilled a homegrown spot, opening a slot in the side for a foreign player.
Given he did not make the European roster last season, maybe that player is Juan Foyth, but then again, it could be Castagne, Celik, or some other yet to be identified fullback like Elseid Hysaj from Napoli or a more expensive name like Thomas Meunier from BVB.
What do you think, will Spurs go with what they have this season, or will they move on from Aurier and start all over at right back?