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Tottenham Hotspur face a major dilemma this summer as they look to make a decision on their right-back situation.
Kieran Trippier endured a disastrous season in north London despite enjoying an excellent World Cup in Russia last summer, while Serge Aurier is seemingly not trusted to play consistently in the role.
On the chalkboard
Trippier made a total of 27 appearances in the Premier League last season as Spurs finished fourth, while he also played eight times in the club’s run to the Champions League final.
Aurier, due to injuries and form, played eight times in the Premier League and five times in Europe.
But who is worse?
Domestically, Aurier made 2.5 tackles per game, per WhoScored, along with 2.1 fouls. He made 2.1 clearances, 0.3 blocks and 0.9 interceptions. He also completed 0.9 crosses per game, registered two assists, and completed a dribble per game.
Trippier’s statistics are similar. He also made 2.5 tackles per game, 0.7 fouls, 2.3 clearances, 0.2 blocks and 0.9 interceptions, He completed two crosses per game, though he only managed to register three assists in far more games, and completed a mere 0.3 dribbles per game.
What does that tell us? On a base level, Trippier is a better tackler because he commits fewer fouls, while they are equally as woeful at intercepting the ball, which comes from reading the game.
Aurier is better at running with the ball and, while he does not complete as many crosses, he is clearly more accurate; Trippier delivers it more but has only one more assist than the Ivory Coast international.
In the Champions League, Aurier makes 1.6 tackles, 0.8 fouls, 2.4 clearances, 0.2 blocks and 1.8 interceptions. He is clearly better in Europe, perhaps with the slower pace and more methodical attacks allowing him to read the game. He completed 0.8 crosses, registered one assist and completed 1.4 dribbles. Ironically, his attacking stats are marginally worse, perhaps due to the higher standard of defending.
Trippier, meanwhile, registered 2.1 tackles per game in the Champions League, 1.3 fouls, 1.1 clearances, 0.1 blocks and 1.4 interceptions. He completed 2.3 crosses, registered two assists and completed 0.3 dribbles.
Bar interceptions, he is worse off defensively in every regard in Europe. Where Aurier stepped up, Trippier quite simply didn’t.
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Bin them both
If doable, Spurs should look to move both players on this summer.
Trippier has been linked with both Juventus and Napoli, while it remains to be seen what Aurier’s future will hold.
However, neither player is the high-pressing full-back that Spurs need.
Neither player is able to ally dribbling, excellent tackling, interceptions and chance creation down the flanks.
Trippier’s biggest strength is supposed to be his delivery but he doesn’t cross the ball enough.
Aurier is meant to be excellent at bringing the ball forward, yet he all too regularly leaves his post, heaping pressure on the centre-backs.
If Spurs end up keeping one of them, it should probably be Aurier; he is capable of raising his game, while it appears that Trippier’s has bottomed out.
But if Spurs want to really make a statement, they should bin them both.
