KIERAN Trippier was the first statement signing of the Saudi Arabia age at Newcastle United. Signed in the twilight of his career, many expected the England international to be on the decline, but he has instead proved himself as one of the best right backs in the Premier League all over again.
Trippier was the best player on the pitch as Newcastle dismantled Crystal Palace in a 4-0 victory on Saturday. Jacob Murphy might have grabbed the headlines with a goal and two assists, but Trippier was the one pulling the strings with his passing range and crossing ability from the right wing.
Without Trippier, Newcastle United would be a somewhat one-dimensional team. They’d still have energy and drive through the middle of the pitch, their defensive line would remain solid, but the Magpies depend on Trippier to provide them with control and guile. At 33, Trippier has never been more influential than he is now.
“I think he’s one of my best-ever signings,” said Howe who has signed Trippier twice as a manager. “I signed him very early on at Burnley, and straight away his delivery and crossing ability were the best I’d seen, whether from a static ball, a set-play or a moving ball. He sets the tone for us. His mentality is excellent, his desire to win, he never stops. That’s why he leads the team so well.”
Of course, Trippier’s quality has been clear for some time. He has been capped 45 times for England in a golden age of English right backs. He has played at the elite level in both the club and international game and has even proven himself abroad over two-and-a-half impressive seasons at Atletico Madrid.
6 – Kieran Trippier has assisted more goals than any other player in the Premier League this season (6), while he's become the only Newcastle player to have assisted a goal in four consecutive appearances in the competition. Service. pic.twitter.com/pwbQ9cLQf1
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 21, 2023
And yet Trippier still doesn’t receive the credit he deserves. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Kyle Walker are frequently placed ahead of the 33-year-old in the pecking order despite Tripper arguably being the most rounded of the lot. He is exceptional in all areas of the game, attacking and defensive.
Gareth Southgate remains a fan of Trippier, as proven by his selection for the recent matches against Australia and Italy, and so it’s possible he will keep his place in the England squad for Euro 2024, although the return of James from injury could change the right back landscape for the Three Lions.
Even if Trippier misses out on going to Germany next summer, he can still achieve even more at club level. Newcastle are on an upward trajectory and want to challenge for the Premier League title at some point in the next few seasons. They certainly have the financial backing to make that a reality.
Newcastle United have used Trippier as a platform to build more on top of. Howe’s has quickly developed a team capable of holding their own in the Champions League, as the Magpies have done this season with four points collected from two group games against AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
While many expected Newcastle United to use their Saudi oil money to splash the cash on big name superstars, they have focused their spending on players with their best years still ahead of them – see Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon among other examples.
Trippier looked to be the exception, joining Newcastle at the age of 32. He too, however, has reached new heights at St James’ Park where the former Tottenham Hotspur full back has become a shining example for everyone else at the club. There might be even better to come from Newcastle’s most influential player.
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