FULL-BACK TO THE FUTURE
» Trippier part of an illustrious band of Bury defenders ...but the role has moved on since Neville brothers » Kieran: Demands on position have changed so much ...I study my sleep patterns to help extend my career
BURY is famous for black pudding, Sir Robert Peel – and England full-backs.
The Lancashire market town on the outskirts of Manchester is home to Gary and Phil Neville, Kieran Trippier and new Three Lions recruit Rico Lewis.
It has produced more England players who have appeared at major tournaments than any other town in the country.
Maybe there is something in the Irwell water.
Newcastle defender Trippier, 33, cannot explain why Bury is the go-to place for a full-back.
But he does know that the position has changed beyond all recognition from the days when the Neville brothers were operating on opposite flanks for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United and also England.
“The game has evolved tactically compared to when Gary was playing,” said Trippier.
“Gary was one of those players who would bomb on.
“He was a top-quality rightback and he deserves huge credit because you wouldn’t win that many titles for your club or play for Man United for that long if you weren’t a good player.
“But if you look now at the way full-backs are playing, you see Trent [Alexander-arnold] at Liverpool coming inside.
“Or Stonesy [John Stones]. One minute he’s playing at right-back, then he’s at No 6, then he’s an eight, and then he’s
just behind the striker – so he’s everywhere like he was in the Champions League Final.
“That comes with managers like Pep Guardiola coming into the league and changing the way his teams play – and then obviously a lot of other teams try to copy that.
“But I don’t have a clue why Bury has produced so many full-backs, to be honest with you.
“Rico has come in now – and he’s been top for Man City.
“The demands on the position have changed so much.
“You’ve got to get forward, you’ve got to go on the overlaps or play as an inverted full-back.
“But ultimately you’ve got to defend as well.
“If you look at all of the English full-backs, there is some incredible talent.”
Tripper is versatile enough to operate on either flank.
This season, no English player has created more Premier League chances than the former Manchester City, Burnley, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid favourite. Only Pedro Neto has more than his
six assists. “I’m feeling really good,” said Trippier.
“There have been a lot of games but this is what you want.
“At club level, Champions League football, progressing in the cups. You’ve got to keep going.
“When I went to Spain, I learned more about myself, looking after my body better, eating the right things and doing extras to try to improve myself.
“So now, it’s sleep, eating better, training, recovering. I am always willing to learn and keep my career going for as long as possible.
“I had a good chat in the off-season with a guy I got introduced to in America. Just about sleeping patterns. Little things I could tweak to try to improve my fitness.
“I’m still trying to better myself and it has been interesting to see the effect little improvements can have on your performance, your moods and things like that.
“To be honest, I’ve not really looked to the future to see how long I can play for. But I feel
better now than I did in my late-20s. I don’t feel like I’m slowing down.”
It seems unthinkable Trippier will not be on the plane to Germany for the Euros next summer given how Gareth Southgate has employed him as a left-back when there have been injuries to Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell. But he is taking nothing for granted.
“Luke and Chilly are quality left-backs but Gareth has played me there quite a few times for England,” said Trippier.
“I will do what is best for the team. If I ever have the opportunity to play left-back for my country, I will play there. The most important thing is the team.
“But I need to keep performing well for my club first before I can think about the Euros.
“Like I said, there are so many good full-backs in England at the moment that I need to focus on my own performances.
“Obviously I want to be there but I know I need to be playing at a high level to be successful.”