Scouting Report: Serge Aurier

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Age or experience, think it over once, twice, maybe thrice, which would you choose? Not many players show composure and calmness while playing at such a young age. David Alaba, Mario Götze, and Pedro are a few of the players that come to mind recently who’ve shown such qualities, Serge Aurier should be added to the miniscule list. Contrary to popular belief, he does not play as a full-back, but as a wingback (Christian Maggio comes to mind). He can also play center-back and he plays there pretty well, playing more games at center-back than wing-back probably sharpened his defensive skills.

Now, let’s take a closer look. He’s a tackle happy player, averaging 2.7 tackles a game, and making 2.2 interceptions a game. He’s a proactive defender, happy to come out of his comfort zone for the ball, and he usually wins the ball. He fouls often, making 1.1 fouls a game, and has “earned” 11 yellow cards, but that is one of the only faults in his game. He also happens one of the best defenders in Ligue 1 this season.

He isn’t just good at defense, he has a knack for being able to support the attack and create opportunities. He has 6 goals and 6 assists this season, making 1.4 dribbles a game despite starting 18 of his 34 games as a center-back. There was a case of a player who played in the wrong position, Gareth Bale. He was good going forward, but a liability in defense, his actual position. Harry Redknapp decided to play him in left midfield and look just how he’s evolved. If Alain Casanova or Aurier’s next manager decides to play him in a right midfield or even as a right forward, imagine how good he would become. He has potential not only in defense, but also in offense as well.

Many teams are on the lookout for the defender, and he is about to play in the World Cup next week. Toulouse seem to be waiting in order to inflate his fee after Brazil, and he might be worth it. Arsenal and Liverpool have been linked with him recently, and personally I see him at Arsenal next season. Wenger is great at signing young talent, and if he isn’t put off by the fee, we’ll see the young Ivorian in Red and White next season.