Tottenham Hotspur new boy Serge Aurier has been labelled “damaged goods” by French media.
Spurs completed the £23 million signing of Ivory Coast international Aurier from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.
The 24-year-old, who has signed a contract until 2022, had to wait for clearance from the Home Office which was forthcoming after French courts downgraded a conviction he received for assaulting a police officer last year, allowing him to successfully submit a normal work permit application.
The powerful fullback has been something of an enigma in French football, often falling out with his managers and spending long spells on the sidelines.
And now French media outlet Get France Football has labelled Aurier ‘damaged goods’ in an article on his career following his move to North London.
“Aurier is certainly damaged goods, as even the transfer itself was under some doubt… but now Aurier has to produce,” Get French Football states.
“Like last season, he seemingly won’t have competition, at least on the order of the likes of Dani Alves. He also has the positional versatility that Mauricio Pochettino will crave, being able to play in a variety of formations and roles effectively.
“What remains to be seen, however, is how motivated he is to succeed not only on the pitch, but off it.
“Aurier’s blatant disregard for the conventions of attitudes towards his teammates was on full display some 18 months ago, and even if he is saying the right things, doubts will surely be lurking in the corners of some players’ minds.”
The full feature describes Aurier as ‘undoubtedly talented’ and with his power and pace he should be a perfect fit for the Premier League.
And while Spurs fans will not pay too much attention to French media reports – famous for causing a stir over players operating on English shores – his potential to upset the excellent team ethic and morale Pochettino has built will be a concern.
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