Journalist Lee Ryder has labelled Kieran Trippier Newcastle’s best-ever right-back in the Premier League era.
Trippier was one of the first names bought by the club under the new Saudi-backed PIF regime back in January of this year.
The Magpies spent £12m on the experienced 32-year-old defender who had spent two-and-a-half seasons out at Atletico Madrid.
After just 19 appearances the one-time Tottenham ace has already made a lasting impression on Tyneside and has now earned a glowing review.
When asked about Newcastle’s business since the takeover on the Football Digest podcast Ryder said:
(15:37) “I think it was like £12m for Trippier, he’s come in and he’s just changed the whole club around.
“He’s come in as captain, he’s an 8/10 minimum every week, he brings assists, he brings goals.
“He’s probably Newcastle’s best-ever right-back in the Premier League already if you look down the years at some of the players that we’ve had.”
TIF Thoughts on Trippier and Newcastle…
Is Trippier NUFC's best ever right-back?Yes
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While Warren Barton, Aaron Hughes and Ryan Taylor have all been assured in the position, Ryder does perhaps make a fair case.
The ex-Burnley ace was Eddie Howe’s highest-rated performer last season (WhoScored) with a 7.38 average match rating.
Again this term he leads the way in that metric (7.45) forming part of a no-nonsense Magpies defence that has kept the joint-most clean sheets in the league and conceded a league-low nine goals.
It is fair to say that the Bury-born full-back has already made an impression and by the time the 37-cap England international retires he will be hoping that mark is indelible.
With the club on the upward trajectory they are on and Trippier at the forefront, he is certainly on the right track.