Former Republic of Ireland striker and current Sky Sports pundit Tony Cascarino has admitted he was worried about the lack of defensive ability shown by Tottenham defender Kieran Trippier while on international duty with England.
The 28-year-old played out 85 minutes of the Three Lions’ win away in Spain on Monday evening, joining the likes of fellow Spurs stars Eric Dier, Harry Winks and Harry Kane in starting the clash.
However, Cascarino, who has a regular place on Sky Sports’ daily programme, insisted that while the 5’8″ (source: Transfermarkt) flyer was a “great” offensive threat, he was not a good enough player to keep two Spanish stars from attacking their right flank.
He said in his Times column: “Southgate’s men really must not leave Kieran Trippier outnumbered two against one at right back.
“On another night, given how open they were on that side, England could have fallen 2-0 down. You could see Trippier screaming for help. He is a great offensive player but he is not good enough defensively to handle two opponents.”
Opinion
Cascarino might well be making a moot point over the Spurs man, for is anyone in world football good enough of a defender to keep two players at bay when there is only one of him? Trippier has proven himself for club and country and there are few, if any, better than him in the right back role playing in England right now. His ability down the flank, including his terrorising crosses from out wide, make him such an important part of how Spurs and England play, but unlike Tottenham teammate Serge Aurier, he is also a consistent performer at the back, rather than someone who makes rash decisions after bombing too far forward. However, the pundit is right in saying that leaving him exposed to two attackers is a recipe for disaster no matter who he plays for, and Mauricio Pochettino and/or Gareth Southgate need to make sure he is covered by others to bring the best out of him game.