Kieran Trippier believes Newcastle United have adopted a 'similar mindset' to his former club Atletico Madrid and have already proven they are 'difficult' opponents to play against. The England international swapped life with the La Liga champions for a relegation fight on Tyneside in January last year, and has now extended his contract at St James' Park until the summer of 2025.
Eddie Howe's side currently boast the best defensive record in the Premier League so far this season, with the Magpies racking up more clean sheets than goals conceded. Newcastle have often frustrated the so-called 'Big Six' this term, with the head coach admitting his team are aiming to 'compete' rather than become 'popular'.
Jamie Carragher is among the pundits to compare the Magpies newfound approach to the philosophy now embedded at Atletico Madrid under Simeone. Trippier believes the Carabao Cup semi-finalists' dedication on the training ground has helped foster a ruthless defensive mentality throughout the entire squad.
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When asked if he saw any similarities, Trippier told NUFC TV: "I certainly do, I think it's the way we train as well. With Simeone, it was crazy in the way we trained, the way he was obsessed in keeping clean sheets and I think here it's a similar mindset in we need to stop goals going in.
"Even when I first arrived, we talked about that a lot and I think the way we work on the training field with the manager, the staff, how relentless we are and willing to learn to put that into games. I think this season we've shown how difficult we are to play against, not just the defenders but the whole team in general. Long may that continue."
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