Trippier knows that his poor season can be salvaged in Madrid
Tottenham defender Kieran Trippier accepts he cannot do anything to change his poor performances this season other than to make sure he goes out on a high in the Champions League final.
The right-back has been axed from England’s Nations League squad for next week’s finals in Portugal after a disappointing personal campaign, with boss Gareth S outhgate opting to take Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-arnold ahead of him.
The 28-year- old was one of the stars of the World Cup last summer – scoring in the semifinal in Russia – but niggling injuries and a gruelling schedule have had an impact this season. He has made several key errors and his contribution in attacking areas has also been below his usual standard.
Still, he has been a member of a Spurs team that has made it to the Champions League final, where they will face Liverpool in Madrid on Saturday.
“I have had a lot of groin injuries, I have b een strug gling with my groins for a number of months now,” said Trippier, before his England omission.
“It has been affecting me, annoying me, but there has been so many games – Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday – so it has been difficult to do my rehab and properly focus on it.
“I have said it in many interviews that it has not helped, obviously with the World Cup in the summer and coming back and playing straight away.
“The season has gone now, I have to accept the way I have played this season, I know I can play so much better. But it’s about accepting it, looking back and reviewing it like I always do after ever y game. There’s one big game left; if I play I can give everything to the team to help us win.
“Watching it from such a young age, the Champions League is the biggest club final you can win. To win this for this club and everything that we have given this season, the circumstances we have had, Wembley, injuries, it will be a good way to finish the season.”