Don Hutchinson boldly declares that Kieran Trippier stands tall as the unrivaled premier right-back in the world. Trippier’s transformative journey began at Tottenham Hotspur, where he honed his skills over four seasons following his move from Burnley in 2015, ultimately earning a coveted spot on England’s national team.
Yet, a sharp decline tarnished his final campaign at Spurs, as defensive blunders loomed large and proved costly for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad on multiple occasions. In a surprising turn of events, Trippier sought refuge in the tutelage of Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid, inking a deal worth an astonishingly low £20 million, as reported by BBC.
Under Simeone’s guiding hand, Trippier underwent a mesmerizing defensive transformation, emerging as a pivotal contributor to Atletico Madrid’s triumphant title-winning season in 2020-21. Since his move to Newcastle United in January of the previous year, the former Tottenham dynamo has consistently ranked among the brightest right-back talents gracing the Premier League.
Hutchinson, no stranger to controversial statements, acknowledged Trippier’s defensive brilliance by including him in his elevated Team of the Season lineup. Speaking to ESPN FC, he reverently declared, “Trippier, the unparalleled right-back in global football.”
Furthermore, the pundit demonstrated an unwavering allegiance to Tottenham Hotspur by enlisting three of their players, namely James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, and Micky van de Ven, in his prestigious starting eleven.
With the passing of time, it becomes increasingly evident that Pochettino’s decision to greenlight the departure of this prodigious English talent in 2019 stands as a grievous oversight. Trippier’s remarkable growth and unrivaled prowess on the field serve as undeniable reminders of the regrettable mistake made by the Argentine manager.
