Trippier: It could take six years to catch up to Man City
You can’t just go all guns blazing.You have to take the right steps to move the club forward and that’s what Newcastle are doing
Kieran Trippier
NEWCASTLE United are as many as six years away from catching Manchester City and can’t afford to go all guns blazing at this early stage.
That is the view of Magpies and England star Kieran Trippier, who also said that he has been encouraged by the moves the club’s new owners have made so far.
The Magpies were trounced 5-0 by Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium at the weekend and face a tough encounter against Champions League-chasing Arsenal at St James’ Park on Monday.
Sunday’s clash saw the Premier League’s two Middle East-owned clubs go head to head but with City having had more than a decade to get things in place, they outgunned Newcastle, who were bought by a Saudi-backed consortium in October.
Defender Trippier, however, believes the Magpies are right to proceed cautiously rather than with reckless spending.
“I was at Man City when their takeover happened and I had to leave to get minutes, he told The Journal. “You see the way Man City have done it and everyone is looking at Newcastle now.
“Like I said when I first arrived here, it’s not going to happen overnight, it could take five years, it could take six years and everybody has to be patient but they are taking the right steps and that’s all you can do, you can’t just go all guns blazing.
“You have to take the right steps to move the club forward and that’s what Newcastle are doing.”
United have moved on from the heavy loss at Man City and are now preparing to face the Gunners for the final home game of the season.
It is a huge week for Arsenal who face a season-defining two matches. Tonight they travel to North London rivals Tottenham and then they head to the North East.
Former Spurs man Trippier is excited to go up against the Gunners again and wants to end the home campaign on a high.
The former Atletico Madrid man said: “It’s a massive occasion, the last home game of the season. The fans have been unbelievable, since I arrived certainly.
“Arsenal are fighting to get in the top four, I want to help Tottenham obviously and then Burnley staying up. It’s two different types of matches and they’re going to be up for it so we’ve got to make sure we match that.”