Is Serge Aurier the Ideal Successor to Glen Johnson?

Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier has been linked with Arsenal recently, however several media reports this week are saying that Brendan Rodgers could make a move for the right back.

Serge started his career at French side Lens along with his brother Christopher, and made 47 appearances at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, in 2012 he joined Toulouse and played over 70 games and scored 7 goals.

Brendan has mentioned in various interviews that he is looking for players who can play in various positions and systems and 21 year old Aurier would fit that brief as he has a very extensive playing style and he is versatile. He can play as a right back in a 4-4-2, centre back in a 3-5-2 and at right wing-back.

He has excellent dribbling skills, although one minor criticism is that he tends to hold on to the ball a little too often which results in him dribbling his way along the byline instead of passing it to one of his team mates but I am sure with support from Brendan Rodgers and his coaching team they can work on that aspect of his game. Aurier has an excellent footballing brain which leads him to being in the right place at the right time. He also shows that he can read the game very well.

Being used in a 3-5-2 for Toulouse, he joins the attack when he has space but he doesn’t just drive forward on every opportunity. He is quick on his feet, can provide his team mates with great crosses and due to his physical presence he doesn’t shy away from tackles and wins interceptions and blocks shots with great ease.

Despite his height Serge’s heading ability gives him great advantage in defending corners but also in the opposition box.

Stats for Serge Aurier – 2013/2014 Season – courtesy of www.squawka.com

Games played – 34
Goals Scored – 6
Assists – 6 (26 key passes)
Chances Created – 32

Stats for Glen Johnson – 2013/2014 Season – courtesy of www.squawka.com

Games played – 29
Goals Scored – 0
Assists – 2 (28 key passes)
Chances Created – 28

Aurier has demonstrated on the biggest stage at this year’s World Cup what can bring to the team. He setup Ivory Coast’s two goals for the team to turn around their result against Japan and win the match 2-1.

If Serge continues in this rich vein of form his market value of £7 million could increase and Liverpool and Arsenal could find themselves with more competition for his signature. Would you like to see Serge Aurier playing for Liverpool next season – let me know in the comments section below.

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