Danny Rose is hunched over his computer, brow furrowed with concentration. He gingerly types the name of Tottenham’s latest signing into Google and presses enter. The results are surprisingly thorough. Perhaps he should have heard of Serge Aurier after all.
The Ivorian fullback has been in and out of the side since joining from Paris Saint-Germain for £23million on transfer deadline day. He has a chequered past after criticising teammates and managers through social media, including using a homophobic slur in reference to Laurent Blanc. Aurier can be similarly rash and thoughtless sometimes on the pitch, as he showed when needlessly giving away a penalty against Real Madrid last week.
He made a better impression on Sunday when fielded as a left wing-back with Rose and Ben Davies, who would both seem like a more natural fit for that role, sat on the bench. Davies, in particular, has had an excellent start to the season. Lacking the pace and explosive acceleration of the other two, he still has plenty to offer. More of a pure defender he’s also contributed in an attacking sense, with two goals and two assists.
After a spell on the sidelines, Rose made his comeback from injury at the Bernabeu last week. Called on for a brief second-half cameo, he assumed a role in central midfield for his first competitive appearance in 10 months. Fearing boos from the supporters, he was cheered instead. In Wednesday’s League Cup tie against West Ham, he started in a more familiar position out on the left, and the response to his name being read out was again positive.
It could have been very different. During the summer, Rose gave a controversial interview to The Sun in which he suggested he was underpaid and considering his options. It was widely perceived as a plea for Manchester United to firm up their well-documented interest. He also questioned Tottenham’s transfer policy and claimed that the club should be signing household names rather than ‘players you have to Google.’
Unlike the Premier League’s other title contenders, Tottenham don’t operate on the same unfettered financial terms. While still receiving a more than handsome amount, Rose earns far less than he could elsewhere, particularly relative to other players of his status and experience. Perhaps he was glad of this fact when fined two weeks’ wages and forced to apologise.
A 3-2 home defeat to London rivals West Ham wasn’t the best way for Rose to mark his return to starting duties but criticism for the result can’t be laid at his door. Mauricio Pochettino has always been keen to rest and rotate his wide players, given the immense physical demands placed upon them by his style of play, and it will be interesting to see who he chooses against Manchester United this weekend.
Regardless of whether Rose is involved or not, there will be plenty of opportunities over the coming months with Tottenham’s packed fixture list. If he does take part at Old Trafford, he may see it as an opportunity to impress potential suitors. Jose Mourinho is known to be keen on Rose, and with Luke Shaw ready to be discarded just three years on from flourishing under Pochettino at Southampton, perhaps a swap deal could suit all parties.
Both have suffered with injuries in recent times but meet the brief of modern attacking fullbacks perfectly. Rose may be better established but, despite his difficulties, Shaw still has so much potential. The younger player by five years, such a move could prove a smart piece of business for Spurs.
