In a recent interview with Goodison News, former Everton forward Kevin Campbell tipped Everton to make a move for Serge Aurier who is currently a free agent after being released by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year. Campbell said,
“That might be another thing for Serge Aurier on a free.
“Coleman has been such a fantastic performer, a stalwart for Everton but the injuries just keep racking up.
“The best ability is availability as a footballer, and the manager needs his players available – Seamus is well thought of, but if you’re not available, you’re no use.”
Aurier’s Diminishing Influence At The English Capital Last Season
Aurier had a tough season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he struggled to find consistency with his performances for Spurs over the past 12 months. The Ivory Coast international took part in 27 matches for the North London side in the previous campaign, scoring two goals and securing three assists in multiple competitions.
The 28-year-old gave a good account of himself defensively but struggled to be productive in the opposition half after he averaged 2.9 tackles, 1.0 interceptions, 2.2 clearances, 0.8 shots, 0.9 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per game in the Premier League. He was a tidy distributor of the ball as he made 80.8% of his attempted passes in the English top tier (stats via whoscored).
Is Aurier A Good Option For The Toffees?
Aurier is a strong and athletic full-back who can get stuck in with a few solid tackles to secure the ball back inside his half. He can also clear the danger when in danger of being exposed at the back. However, he has developed an unwanted habit of giving away cheap penalties inside his penalty box which made him a liability at times during his time with Spurs.
Still, the experienced Ivory Coast international deserves credit for using his pace effectively to make some powerful runs with the ball. He also managed to score or assist the odd goal but was far from consistent in the opponent’s half.
Rafael Benitez can benefit from adding a new right-back following Seamus Coleman’s recent hamstring injury which he picked up while on international duty with his national team. Aurier could be a solid option for the Merseyside outfit to consider at the moment as he is available on a free transfer and has got a lot of experience at the highest level.
Despite his recent struggles in English football, the Ivory Coast right-back is still good enough to serve as a decent squad player at Goodison Park. He will add some much-needed cover for Coleman and could even become a regular starter under Benitez’s stewardship in the coming seasons.
