Bruno Guimaraes may be getting all the headlines for his two-goal display against Brentford but yet another top performance from Kieran Trippier is surely close to putting to bed just who is England’s best full-back for the forthcoming World Cup.
At 32, it will most likely be Trippier’s last world cup but the Newcastle captain is showing no signs of slowing down just yet. The debate is raging over whether Trent Alexander-Arnold is being unfairly treated when it comes to England selection with some of the discussions simply overlooking Trippier and instead focusing on the battle between Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and the Liverpool full-back.
Yet with Walker set to miss the World Cup after surgery and Alexander-Arnold out of form - Trippier’s recent performances are only boosting the likelihood he’ll start England’s first game of the tournament against Iran. There is no doubting Alexander-Arnold’s talent - he is a very good full-back but defensively he is left wanting and this is where Trippier’s ability outshines.
LISTEN TO THE EVERYTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE - NEWCASTLE 5-1 BRENTFORD INSTANT REACTION
There’s also the question of experience and leadership. Watching Trippier for Newcastle is a joy - his vocal approach to a game is just as big an asset as his ability to stop a run on the defence or whip a ball into the box. He’s a talker, he encourages and organises and it’s set the foundation for the success Newcastle are currently enjoying.
As Newcastle hammered Brentford, Trippier’s experience was there for all to see. The superb assist for Bruno’s opener aside, there was still so much to enjoy about his performance.
It’s the little things off the ball that perhaps go unnoticed. Take the moments that passed as referee John Brooks considered whether Brentford’s opener was to be chalked off due to Ivan Toney being offside as an example of Trippier just having that bit more to his game. He was as close as allowed to the VAR monitor, concluding with one look at the replay Toney was involved in play and therefore the goal should be ruled out. As the referee finally came to the same conclusion, Trippier turned back gesturing to his teammates to slow down and remain calm - getting them organised before restarting.
There was a moment when Sven Botman blocked an effort in the second half. Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo scuffing his kick producing a weak and tame effort on goal but at that moment Botman didn’t know the shot was to lack power - so he got in the way of it, and put it out for a corner. Goalkeeper Nick Pope gestured in a motion to say that the block wasn’t needed and in truth Botman looked a little frustrated while on the turf. Trippier ran over patted him on the back, pulled him to his feet and gave him another encouraging shove on the chest. It was Trippier, in those vital seconds, making sure his teammate was switched on - not worrying about the clearance that had just happened.
When Toney scored from the spot - in the build-up, he tried to delay the kick and was in the striker’s ear. The penalty was scored but instantly Trippier applauded Pope for his efforts, just as he did when the goalkeeper conceded a corner just as the ball was about to head over the touchline. Some of the crowd groaned, Trippier slapped the floor but then turned to his keeper and uttered words of assurance with another clapping of the hands.
It might seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things but in reality, those moments after a poor clearance or a goal conceded can sometimes be more important than the actual event that’s just gone before. Teams are vulnerable and the goal or the mistake can not be left to linger - especially in the Premier League.
Trippier’s ability to encourage, direct, organise and lead is such an important asset to Newcastle. In fact, and I write this with the acceptance that retirement will be nowhere on the agenda for Trippier at this moment in time, Newcastle should be looking to put the wheels in motion for a coaching role when he does call it a day.
Back to the present day, without Trippier, it’s a fair argument that United would not be on the same path of progress. He has been the catalyst to all that has come good in the last 12 months - he was the signing that put Newcastle on the map. Without Trippier there would be no Bruno, in my view.
Trippier is the leader Newcastle have long lacked, he is the wise head that calms but also installs that fire - and while Bruno will continue to grab the headlines, Trippier will work away in the background proving just why his gamble to return to the Premier League was actually the safest bet to take for Newcastle.
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