Journalist Lee Ryder has been speaking about a behind-scenes moment he witnessed involving Newcastle United ace Kieran Trippier from earlier in the season that highlights his influence off the pitch.
Trippier has been lauded as one of the best signings Newcastle have made in their recent history and certainly one of the top recruits under the ownership of PIF for his ability on the ball as well as the leadership he brings.
The England international showed his on-field qualities against Manchester City earlier in the season when he nestled a free kick into the top corner, but then also avoided a red card scare thanks to VAR after a late challenge on Kevin De Bruyne. However, that didn’t appear to lose him any respect from the Belgian midfielder.
Speaking on the Everything is Black and White podcast, Ryder revealed what he noticed between Trippier and De Bruyne after that scintillating 3-3 draw in August.
Is Trippier PIF's best signing?
Yes!
No!
He said: “It’s almost like ‘Tom Brady Syndrome’ if you want to compare it to NFL, where he’s just got that presence that everyone respects.
“I’ve been standing in tunnels talking to him [Trippier] and people like Kevin De Bruyne are walking past and desperate to have a quick chat and shake his hand, so that sums up the influence of the guy – long may it continue.”
TIF Thoughts on Trippier’s presence…
It’s some feat for Trippier that a world-class player such as De Bruyne was looking to stop and have a chat with him during his time at Newcastle, and goes to show just what a major coup PIF pulled off in January to land the defender.
When Trippier joined Newcastle, many had suggested that he was only going there for one last payday given where the club were in the table at that time and the fact he was leaving Atletico Madrid, but the way Newcastle have turned around as a club shows Trippier recognised the vision from day one.
Trippier has been a mainstay in Newcastle’s defence this season, which is the best in the Premier League, but he’s also thriving in the final third, linking up with Miguel Almiron and ranking second in the league for shot-creating actions, only behind De Bruyne himself (as per FBref).