GOOD TRIP?
Kieran lands in Newcastle as first of many – and the ‘absolute soldier’ could soon be leading the Toon
KIERAN TRIPPIER joined Newcastle yesterday with orders to become the leader of a new era at St James’ Park.
England boss Gareth Southgate regards Trippier as an “absolute soldier,” a description which highlights the type of character Newcastle have landed. Who knows, he could end up captain of the club by summer, leading the charge like centre-back Vincent Kompany did in his early days at Manchester City when they started their quest for trophies. Club owners, led by 10 percent shareholder Amanda Staveley, believe that by luring a seasoned international like rightback Trippier, they will encourage other big names to move to Tyneside. And now they want a topnotch centre-back in by next weekend ahead of the relegation clash with Watford. If Trippier, who scored for England in the World Cup semi-final back in 2018, has agreed to play in front of 52,000 Geordies then other elite names will surely be tempted to follow suit. A serious challenge for a Champions League slot may be some years off yet but Newcastle want young stars to know they are a club with ambition. And that may just persuade Lille’s £30million defender Sven Botman (below) to jump on board.
Former Atletico Madrid star Trippier isn’t Kylian Mbappe or one of the galacticos that Newcastle might chase once they are knocking on the door of the top six, but he’s enough of a name to show that the Toon mean serious business.
The 31-year-old, who has signed on a two-and-a-half year deal for £12million, won the La Liga title last term as a highly dependable full-back in Diego Simeone’s team which kept Real Madrid and Barcelona at bay.
He was a Champions League runner-up with Spurs before switching to Spain, and in the summer of 2018 he scored that beautiful free-kick that put England 1-0 up against Croatia in the World Cup semi-final. Some will wonder why an England international has opted to join a bitter relegation battle, jeopardising his place in Southgate’s squad.
But Trippier will look at the challenge differently. His appetite for shaking up the establishment was underlined in May, minutes after winning La Liga, when he explained why he had moved to Spain in the first place.
He said: “Madrid and Barcelona have been but I looked at Atletico, the manager, and the players they have, and I just thought, ‘Why not go abroad, test myself in a different league?’ I knew it would be good for my family, my kids, and I never look back. I’m one of those people who doesn’t mind being thrown in at the deep end.”
Last word to Southgate, who described Trippier’s attributes on England duty.
“He’s a kid who has given absolutely everything,” he said. “He’s had a huge impact on big matches and the grittiness of his defending is a key component.”
Bring in a few more with that spirit and Newcastle will be on the right track.