Watching Diego Simeone in full flow is a privilege, but there is only so much you can take from observing a couple of the Atletico Madrid boss' training sessions. What proved more significant during Eddie Howe's well-publicised fact-finding mission in Madrid in 2021 was the time the head coach and assistant Jason Tindall spent with Kieran Trippier, who was playing for the Spanish giants at the time.
Howe and Tindall had a longstanding relationship with Trippier from their spell at Burnley and the pair left the capital knowing that a return to England was something that was on the defender's mind. When Howe and Tindall rocked up at Newcastle United a few weeks later, they quickly sounded out Trippier, who was open to the mid-season move despite the Magpies' dire situation in the relegation zone at the time.
It was rather fitting that Trippier was the first signing of this new era. To say the England international has been a transformative player, on and off the pitch, would be an understatement.
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A side that threw away 24 points from winning positions last season - it is worth noting Trippier only played six league games because of injury - have become more streetwise and got under the skin of big-name opponents like Arsenal and Chelsea in recent months. Indeed, it said it all that Newcastle were even booed off after losing against Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season.
Those games have proved the basis for Newcastle's unofficial motto - we're not here to be popular, we're here to compete - and Howe has not been shy in crediting the 'know-how' of Trippier for that turnaround. That experience could yet prove vital in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday as the black-and-whites bid to end their 54-year wait to win a trophy.
"I learned a lot from the manager at Atletico," Trippier told ChronicleLive. "There are moments in games, in finals, where you have to be clever and know when to slow the game down if the opposition is on top - even if the fans might not like it. I wouldn't say it's cheating - it's about trying to win a football match.
"We will be ready. I might throw some new tricks out there. I'm only joking - I don't want to get booked!"
Whether club captain Jamaal Lascelles avoids a caution remains to be seen, though. It was rather telling that Lascelles picked up two yellow cards this season without even being on the pitch after the Newcastle skipper tried to slow the game down from the touchline to help his side over the line in those aforementioned games against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Although Lascelles would love nothing more than to start on Sunday, the Newcastle captain will continue to support Trippier, who looks set to lead the Magpies out for the club's first final in nearly 24 years. It is a huge occasion, but one that won't faze the defender.
Trippier, after all, not only has vast experience of walking out at Wembley but, also, of playing in big games, having started both the 2019 Champions League final for Spurs and the Euro 2020 showpiece for England. Those finals ended in defeat and Trippier is determined to use the pain of those nights to help his team-mates, many of whom are in uncharted territory.
"It's all about experience," he said. "I've been in some big finals where I've lost, but I'm grateful to be in another final and have the opportunity to try and win another cup.
"I just try to help my team-mates. I said when I first arrived that I want to help everyone around me on and off the pitch and try and help the club move forward. Fast forward a year and we're in a Carabao Cup final so we have taken huge steps."
To think Trippier could have been on the opposite side on Sunday. Manchester United were keen on signing Trippier after the Euros, but the Red Devils were unwilling to pay the right-back's release clause.
Atletico, reluctantly, allowed Trippier to join Newcastle just a few months later and the veteran will now find himself going up against a number of his England team-mates at the national stadium, including one Marcus Rashford. The in-form Manchester United forward has scored 16 goals in his last 17 games in all competitions, but the days of Newcastle worrying unduly about what the opposition can do to them are long gone.
"I know Marcus very well," Trippier said. "I'm really happy for him because I've always known how unbelievable he is and he's certainly hit some form. But it's not about one individual - you've got Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Luke Shaw, who's been unbelievable this season as well.
"We can't be too focused on them. Obviously, we need to review them, of course, but we need to focus on how we can hurt them. We want to go into that final to win. That's our only priority."
Whatever happens on Sunday, Trippier's family will be there at Wembley, a visual reminder of why the 32-year-old wanted to come back to England in the first place last year. Among those watching on will be Trippier's father, Chris, who just so happens to be a diehard Manchester United fan. So who will the Bury native's dad be supporting on the day?
"Me, of course," he added. "Well, I hope so! It's a proud moment for all my family even though they are Reds. They will be supporting me. Hopefully, we can give a good account of ourselves for the club and bring the trophy back to Newcastle."
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