Serge Aurier | Spurs player

[Adnan]

In my opinion, Aurier has fantastic stamina to go up and down the pitch and has pace to burn.

Them are the two things he will add to the team over Valencia. Valencia is still quick but I don't think he has the same pace anymore.

 

[Hellboy]

A move to Manchester will do him good. He was the best RB in Ligue 1 a couple of years ago. Raw but very big potential, reminds me a little bit of our own Pat.

 

[Robertd0803]

People saying he has issues shouldn't forget that Mourinho has worked with Diego Costa and got the best of him so it shouldn't be a problem.

I don't think Diego Costa ever punched a police officer in the head though which is a slight concern.

Still seems weird that we would be in for him dependent on legal issues being resolved. There surely has got to be easier right backs to purchase. Unless of course its this particular right back that Jose desires in which case I defer to his judgment.

 

[R'hllor]

There is no line that some people cant cross...hope we stay the feck away from him.

 

[Adnan]

I don't think Diego Costa ever punched a police officer in the head though which is a slight concern.

Still seems weird that we would be in for him dependent on legal issues being resolved. There surely has got to be easier right backs to purchase. Unless of course its this particular right back that Jose desires in which case I defer to his judgment.

Aurier didn't punch a Police officer either

 

[Robertd0803]

Aurier didn't punch a Police officer either

Oh my mistake, it was an elbow to the chest. Slightly better than getting punched in the head.

 

[Brwned]

Stats are sometimes misleading though. I thought at times last year our opponents would almost deliberately leave Valencia as our "out ball" knowing that he was unlikely to drive forward and commit defenders.

The sheer number of times Valencia isolates the opposition full back and then turns round and rolls it to the CB is ridiculous

All fullbacks are the outball. Most of them are given loads of space to work in - that's abundantly clear from Aurier's highlights alone.

Stats are sometimes misleading but I don't see how these are given they pass the eyeball test. Valencia is very hard to dispossess because of his physique and because of the body position he places himself in (conservative, protective rather than ambitious and open), his first touch is rock solid and he beats players easily for a fullback. It's only because Valencia struggled as a winger towards the end that he's criticised for his ability 1 on 1...but if people remember what Evra was like as a winger, they'd see the obvious flaws in that perspective.

Most fullbacks do that. It's only because Valencia is so good at isolating the fullback that he does it more often in frequency. What you're expecting him to do is to act like a winger, but tactically that doesn't make any sense. Dribbling and crossing are terribly inefficient attacking methods for all but a few players in world football. A winger is asked to take risks and follow those attacking methods but a fullback isn't. They have to be more risk averse because they're a part of the defensive line and can't leave themselves exposed by taking on their man every time.

The idea that Valencia is relatively poor at beating his man is absurd and easily refuted by stats. Only Martial and Pogba have more successful dribbles per game in the team, so he's a more effective and more prolific dribbler than someone like Mkhitaryan. Of course the context of the areas they try to dribble in is important, so let's compare him against other fullbacks too. Here's a list of all the fullbacks from all of the teams in the CL knockout stages last year:

Spoiler: List - Dribblers per game - 16/17 - WhoScored

Filipe Luis - 2.2
Mendy - 2.1
Alex Sandro - 1.8
Bernat - 1.7
Marcelo - 1.4
Valencia - 1.3
S. Roberto - 1.2
Meunier - 1.2
Aurier - 1.1
Alves - 1.1
Rafinha - 1.1
Walker - 1.1
Guerreiro - 1.1
Escudero - 1.1
Mariano - 1.1
Henrichs - 1.1
Hysazj - 1.1
Carvajal - 1
Juanfran - 0.8
Kolarov - 0.8
Shaw - 0.8
Wendell - 0.6
Ghoulam - 0.6
Lahm - 0.5
Schlupp - 0.5
Fuchs - 0.4
Piszczek - 0.4
Zabaleta - 0.4
Clichy - 0.4
Alba - 0.3

So Valencia's in the top quintile for beating his man, when compared against the absolute elite in European football...and that's despite him, as you say, often taking the conservative choice and retaining possession. Surely you can see that your frustration with his economical approach and dull style is clouding your judgment of his effectiveness in beating a man?

 

[Brwned]

In my opinion, Aurier has fantastic stamina to go up and down the pitch and has pace to burn.

Them are the two things he will add to the team over Valencia. Valencia is still quick but I don't think he has the same pace anymore.

You think Valencia doesn't have fantastic stamina?

 

[Mciahel Goodman]

Aurier would add more in attack. I'm slightly bemused that we seem more concerned with a right back than a left back though.

 

[cantona7676]

In my opinion, Aurier has fantastic stamina to go up and down the pitch and has pace to burn.

Them are the two things he will add to the team over Valencia. Valencia is still quick but I don't think he has the same pace anymore.

So Valencia hasn't got pace and stamina, have you got him mixed up with Blind?

 

[roonster09]

Aurier would add more in attack. I'm slightly bemused that we seem more concerned with a right back than a left back though.

I think it's to do with player being available rather than club actively trying to sign player. Also he can play as LB if I'm not wrong.

 

[MUFC OK]

Aurier would add more in attack. I'm slightly bemused that we seem more concerned with a right back than a left back though.

Think purely because he's a top player who is available and is known to have versatility to play on the left though right footed.

 

[Adnan]

You think Valencia doesn't have fantastic stamina?

He had fantastic stamina and fantastic pace. Still a very good RB.

 

[Van Piorsing]

Aurier would add more in attack. I'm slightly bemused that we seem more concerned with a right back than a left back though.

Jose gone full trust on Shaw. Quite amazing after his recent injury excess but probably knows something more than we do.

 

[pocco]

I think the reason we want a RB and not a LB is obvious. Our LB isn't tasked with attacking as much as our RB, it's more of a supportive role to our LW. We don't play with a RW at all. Jose is probably happy to have Blind, Darmian, Shaw and Mitchell carry this out.

Our RB (Valencia) basically covers the entire length of the pitch on his own. One man can't do that in every game of the season and it's an important aspect to our somewhat lopsided shape. As soon as Valencia is out our right hand side is decimated.

 

[red thru&thru]

Aurier would add more in attack. I'm slightly bemused that we seem more concerned with a right back than a left back though.

When I guy comes along, of his quality, you have to act.

 

[Adnan]

Did someone say Valencia had a "great" first touch.

 

[JJ12]

I think the reason we want a RB and not a LB is obvious. Our LB isn't tasked with attacking as much as our RB, it's more of a supportive role to our LW. We don't play with a RW at all. Jose is probably happy to have Blind, Darmian, Shaw and Mitchell carry this out.

Our RB (Valencia) basically covers the entire length of the pitch on his own. One man can't do that in every game of the season and it's an important aspect to our somewhat lopsided shape. As soon as Valencia is out our right hand side is decimated.

I agree with this. I think we'll see Rashford/Martial left wing but moving centrally regularly. I think Pogba will occupy the left a lot like he did in his Juve days and then the lb will need to be disciplined - which is why I think he likes Darmien.

 

[JJ12]

Did someone say Valencia had a "great" first touch.

Did somebody actually say he 'had' stamina and pace rather than 'has'

 

[Jib]

I agree with this. I think we'll see Rashford/Martial left wing but moving centrally regularly. I think Pogba will occupy the left a lot like he did in his Juve days and then the lb will need to be disciplined - which is why I think he likes Darmien.

Sandro/Asamoah/Evra..disciplined ?!

 

[Adnan]

Did somebody actually say he 'had' stamina and pace rather than 'has'

Has stamina and pace, had "fantastic" stamina and pace. I hope that simplifies it for you.

 

[ROFLUTION]

Never watched him, but only heard of the stupid stuff he's done - He needs to change all that to be a United-player.

I would hate us to get an idiotic Suarez / Terry type to represent our club. Hope he matures.

 

[JJ12]

Pogba had Sandro/Asamoah (not a true LB )/Evra to help him.. not defensive fullback like Blind or Darmian

Absolutely. That will be different here though.

 

[Kag]

Did someone say Valencia had a "great" first touch.

He has a fabulously consistent first touch. It's been one of the biggest strengths of his game since he first arrived here.

 

[Brwned]

Did someone say Valencia had a "great" first touch.

I'll clarify that. He does not have a great first touch in the way that Pogba has a great first touch. His first touch is very limited - he doesn't use it to open up space or to beat a man and he couldn't possibly operate in tight spaces like a #10. For a fullback you don't need any of that. You're often in acres of space already and all you're looking to do is bring it under control quickly to accelerate the attack. Valencia does that very well. Evidently better than Aurier. The only important measure of a first touch is the ability to consistently do what you intend to do with it. Evra had a great first touch within the context of a fullback but a very limited one in comparison to a #10.

I'd suggest you're far too focused on the aesthetics and can't see what's important here.

 

[JJ12]

Has stamina and pace, had "fantastic" stamina and pace. I hope that simplifies it for you.

I understood first time. I don't agree with you was the obvious point.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Did someone say Valencia had a "great" first touch.

He does.

 

[Adnan]

He has a fabulously consistent first touch. It's been one of the biggest strengths of his game since he first arrived here.

Having a consistent first touch as you put it doesn't make it "great". I would call someone like Messi having a "great" first touch.

 

[Rossa]

He had fantastic stamina and fantastic pace. Still a very good RB.

What are you smoking? He had?

Last season, Sane tried the kick and run against Valencia and failed badly, properly outpaced, only never to try that move against Valencia again. Clichy tried the same and looked silly doing so. Navas, after ripping Shaw apart for pace, didn't once try to go outside of Valencia.

And as for stamina - he runs up and down that pitch like a man possessed. Aurier and Valencia can easily battle it out, and Valencia may even be pushed further up the pitch, but Valencia actually seems just about as fast as at his fastest. People go on about him losing pace after the injury, but it was after the injury he made the famous run against Liverpool.

Also, I find it difficult that Aurier will downright displace Valencia following Valencia's season and Mourinho's comments on him.

 

[Adnan]

I'll clarify that. He does not have a great first touch in the way that Pogba has a great first touch. His first touch is very limited - he doesn't use it to open up space or to beat a man and he couldn't possibly operate in tight spaces like a #10. For a fullback you don't need any of that. You're often in acres of space already and all you're looking to do is bring it under control quickly to accelerate the attack. Valencia does that very well. Evidently better than Aurier. The only important measure of a first touch is the ability to consistently do what you intend to do with it. Evra had a great first touch within the context of a fullback but a very limited one in comparison to a #10.

I'd suggest you're far too focused on the aesthetics and can't see what's important here.

Nothing in this post to disagree with. I normally enjoy reading your posts. You give good insight into what you're trying to put across.

 

[Kag]

Having a consistent first touch as you put it doesn't make it "great". I would call someone like Messi having a "great" first touch.

Semantics. Our lads have been pinging the ball out to Valencia for the best part of ten years, and seldom does he fail to put the ball exactly where it needs to be. That's a great first touch by any definition.

 

[Adnan]

What are you smoking? He had?

Last season, Sane tried the kick and run against Valencia and failed badly, properly outpaced, only never to try that move against Valencia again. Clichy tried the same and looked silly doing so. Navas, after ripping Shaw apart for pace, didn't once try to go outside of Valencia.

And as for stamina - he runs up and down that pitch like a man possessed. Aurier and Valencia can easily battle it out, and Valencia may even be pushed further up the pitch, but Valencia actually seems just about as fast as at his fastest. People go on about him losing pace after the injury, but it was after the injury he made the famous run against Liverpool.

Also, I find it difficult that Aurier will downright displace Valencia following Valencia's season and Mourinho's comments on him.

Can you please show me the evidence of where Sane as you put it "fails badly" in his attempts to out run Valencia.

What I actually said was that Aurier would be a upgrade on Valencia for pace and stamina because in my opinion he has searing pace and is a Duracell bunny regards stamina.

 

[Adnan]

Semantics. Our lads have been pinging the ball out to Valencia for the best part of ten years, and seldom does he fail to put the ball exactly where it needs to be. That's a great first touch by any definition.

A good first touch not "great", think some words/phrases are used very loosely on here.

 

[stepic]

not sure why there's any debate. if somehow he is allowed to enter the UK, he'd be a brilliant signing at the prices quoted. he's better than Walker and at half the price. you don't miss out on that. we will have proper competition for the RB spot.

unfortunately it's all futile as his appeal won't be successful. shame.

 

[Kag]

A good first touch not "great", think some words/phrases are used very loosely on here.

A great first touch is exactly as explained. Valencia consistently puts the ball where it needs to be. That'll do me.

 

[Utdstar01]

Skysports Saying we don't want him. Which means he'll probably be ours next week if the court hearing goes well.

 

[Adnan]

A great first touch is exactly as explained. Valencia consistently puts the ball where it needs to be. That'll do me.

"Valencia consistently puts the ball where it needs to be"

I'm sorry but I disagree

 

[United Pro]

Skysports Saying we don't want him. Which means he'll probably be ours next week if the court hearing goes well.

Yeah here's the article: http://www.skysports.com/football/n...signing-serge-aurier-from-paris-saint-germain
Sky Sports have been off the boil for the last few years, so it's interesting to see whether Paris United or Sky Sports are ITK.

 

[Damien]

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[el3mel]

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