Serge Aurier to reportedly start season in Tottenham’s first XI if he’s not sold

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Napoli are reportedly interested in Serge Aurier but if he stays at Spurs he is expected to start the new season in the first XI.

Serge Aurier could have the perfect opportunity to prove his importance to Tottenham Hotspur when the new Premier League season gets underway in a little over a weeks time.

That is because, according to the Daily Mail, with Kieran Trippier having been given an extended break following his exploits with England at the 2018 World Cup, Aurier will start the new campaign in Mauricio Pochettino’s first XI.

That is if the right-back isn’t sold of course, with rumours also circling that Napoli will make a move for the Ivory Coast international if they fail in their bid to sign Matteo Darmian from Manchester United.

The Red Devils want £18m for Darmian up front, but the Serie A side would prefer a loan deal with the option of making it permanent in a year and if those negotiations break down, they will instead turn to Aurier.

However, while the 25-year-old may not have entirely convinced during his first 12 months in English football following a switch from Paris Saint-Germain, with a full pre-season under his belt this could be the ideal opportunity for the defender to cement his place.

Trippier will still be considered first choice on the right side of defence, especially after the 27-year-old’s performances in Russia that saw him named in FIFA’s team of the tournament, but there is still no better chance for Aurier to impress.

Tottenham will once again be competing in four different competitions in 2018/19 and therefore two right-backs will be needed, so with the right attitude this could be just the breakthrough that the Ivorian needs.