Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has admitted Serge Aurier will need time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
In Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain, Serge Aurier hogged the limelight for all wrong reasons. The Ivorian became the first player in Premier League history to be whistled for three foul throws in a single Premier League match.
If that wasn’t the only thing, Aurier had the best possible chance to break the deadlock at Selhurst Park late on, when Harry Kane’s flick handed him a golden opportunity from close range. The right-back, though, couldn’t adjust his feet and missed the ball totally.
And after the gritty 1-0 win over Palace, courtesy Kane’s header in the 88th minute, Pochettino promised the fans that they would be practising throw-ins at Hotspur Way.
“We are going to practise every day, I promise you. I promise our fans too. The fans are very disappointed, so we will practice,” Poch was quoted by the Daily Mail.
“First he was a bit upset and tried to put the ball quickly on the pitch. Then he made a mistake. But a bit too much pressure for the referee.
“But I promise everyone that we are going to practise every day. I said to him: “You are going to get me sacked!” It looks like we are so bad we don’t even practise throw-ins.”
The Spurs gaffer also added the defender will take time to cope with the demands of the Premier League.
“Yes, he needs time,” our boss explained.
“It is normal in the Premier League, it is not an easy position for players when they arrive, like Lucas [Moura] and Juan Foyth, I think who surprised everyone is Davinson Sanchez, at 21 his performances have been unbelievable.
“But yes – the player that comes from a different league needs time to adapt.
“The pressure, the focus and then we are a club that demands a lot and of course we want to fight for big things, to be top of the Premier League, the Champions League and of course it is difficult.
“But we are happy with all the players, they are in the plan that we want and the most important thing is that we as a coaching staff help them to improve every day.”
It is high time Poch helps Aurier settle in quickly as he’s a quality player. We cannot afford to waste his potential.
