Journalist Dominic Scurr has claimed that Kieran Trippier is amongst the elite level of right-backs in the world amid his great Newcastle United form.
Trippier took a huge gamble last January when he decided to leave then-La Liga champions Atletico Madrid for a Newcastle side who were in the thick of a relegation battle to become the first signing of the PIF era for £12m.
However, it’s certainly paid off, as he’s arguably playing the best football of his career and has established himself as the first-choice right-back heading into the World Cup – and Scurr believes he’s one of the best in the world.
Scurr hailed the Magpies’ vice-captain on the Mouth of the Tyne for the form he’s currently showing on Tyneside.
He said: “I mean, that sounds ridiculous and he does have some fair competition, but certainly in the Premier League based on this season, best right-back in the Premier League this season.
Is Trippier the best right back in the world?
Yes!
No!
“Certainly in the conversation for best in the world. I’d say when he was signed, he was probably in the top 5, top 10, but his form, certainly this season, has probably put him – it’s ridiculous as a Newcastle player, but this person in this position is one of the world’s elite, and that’s a great thing to be able to say.”
TIF Thoughts on Trippier’s form…
A lot was made of Trippier’s move to Newcastle last January, with people claiming he was just going there for the money, but now with the Magpies sitting in third and Trippier leading the team out as captain in most games, he’s certainly shown why the move was right for him.
Given the injuries to right-backs within the England squad to Reece James and Kyle Walker, Trippier has a great chance of starting in Qatar, though that may have happened anyway given the form he’s shown in a high-flying Newcastle side.
The Magpies currently boast the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League and have recorded the most clean sheets, while Trippier himself has been a force in the final third, creating the third-most chances out of any player in the top flight.