DYCHE PUT KIERAN ON GUILT TRIPP

THERE was no way Kieran Trippier could complete his £20million move to Atletico Madrid without a phone call to his mentor, Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

The England defender knows that, without Dyche’s no-nonsense advice as his career floundered at Turf Moor, it would be more about downing sangria than enjoying a footballing Shangri-la in Spain.

His drinking took his fledgling career to the edge after leaving Manchester City for Burnley. Dyche recalled: “You could see the talent he had straight away.

“But I needed to have a chat with him about his lifestyle. He was a stereotypical young footballer. But, to be fair to him, he took it on.”

A pre-season trip to Cork, where the Burnley squad was put through its paces, army-style, brought a new focus to Trippier (above).

“He really struggled at first, but he has never looked back since,” said Dyche.

And as Trippier, who missed the Champions League first leg against Liverpool in Madrid following groin surgery, prepares for the Anfield return, he praised Dyche’s tough stance.

“I wasn’t looking after myself properly, but he came in and sorted it all out,” the former Spurs star said. “We’ve always stayed in contact. One day I would love to play for him again.”

That wouldn’t be any surprise to Burnley players. Dyche confessed: “It’s a standing joke with the lads. I’ll always say, ‘I don’t have favourites... apart from Tripps!’

“Technically, he is one of the best I have seen. His passing range is outstanding.”

Trippier settled in straight away at Atletico, just as Dyche had predicted.

“He phoned me about the move,” said Dyche. “I knew there would be no problem football-wise, so we talked about cultural change and his family.

“I said that if he was clear-minded about that, it would be a fantastic opportunity.”