He's now a big-game specialist - Exclusive: Pundit wowed by transformed Spurs 27-yr-old

Gabriel Agbonlahor has hailed Jose Mourinho for the transformation of Tottenham big-match specialist Serge Aurier.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley, the former Aston Villa and England striker claimed the Ivorian is now a better defender than Matt Doherty and will start Spurs' bigger games.

Aurier, 27, made just his third Premier League start of the season in Tottenham's 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday.

He put in a great performance at right-back and played a key role as Man City failed to score for the first time this season.

First-choice right-back Doherty was unavailable for the game after testing positive for coronavirus while on international duty.

Asked by Football Insider whether Aurier's performance at the weekend will make it difficult for the Irishman to return to the starting XI, Agbonlahor said: "When you look at games where Spurs need to defend, you're looking at Aurier playing.

"But when you look at games against sides that sit behind the ball and Spurs need to attack them from the start then I think he'll play Doherty.

"It's a nice problem to have for Jose Mourinho.

"If you look at a Fulham, West Brom or Sheffield United then Doherty will play because they'll sit behind the ball and invite pressure.

"When you're looking at a Man Utd, Liverpool or City, then I'm sure Aurier will play because he's a better defender. 

"Aurier looked very, very strong (against Man City) and he looked up for the game. He was always pressing, looking for the tackle.

"He looks like a player who is responding really well to the treatment from Jose Mourinho."

In other Tottenham news, a top pundit has been tipped to hand a "frozen out" star a "big chance".