West Ham United must look to bring in a long-term solution to their problem right-back position, so could Tottenham Hotspur hold the key?
West Ham brought in the vastly experienced Pablo Zabaleta on a free transfer in the summer while Tottenham looked to the younger, more athletic Serge Aurier from Paris Saint Germain.
The 33-year-old Argentine has not let anyone down and has in fact been one of the Hammers’ players of the year in what has been a torrid season.
Zabaleta has arguably out-performed Aurier who has endured a tough start to life in the Premier League with Spurs.
But the ex-Manchester City hero’s lack of pace has at times proved costly and although a firm fans’ favourite, supporters accept he is not getting any younger in a position which increasingly demands energy, pace and stamina in the modern game.
West Ham need to bring someone in who provides that as a long-term solution to their problem right back position with Sam Byram likely to be sold in the summer.
So could 25-year-old Aurier be the answer?
The Ivory Coast international has endured an error prone first season with the North Londoners as exemplified by his gift of a penalty at Brighton in midweek costing his side two points.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has proved his ruthless streak in the past and is not afraid to ditch his signings after a single season with Benjamin Stambouli, Clinton N’Jie, Vincent Janssen and Federico Fazio cases in point.
Aurier has failed to challenge Kieran Trippier for that right back spot and West Ham could pick up a relative bargain in the modern market even if they came close to matching the £24 million Spurs paid PSG.
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