Newcastle United's most important signing in recent memory is currently the subject of a lot of speculation online.
Kieran Trippier was Eddie Howe and the PIF's first signing and his arrival set the tone for the new-look Newcastle.
Despite only costing £12 million from Atletico Madrid, Trippier's arrival, given Newcastle's position in the league and how it looked almost inevitable that they'd be relegated, was seen as a huge statement that the club now had pulling power.
Trippier was soon followed by Bruno Guimaraes and the pair have gone on to be two of Newcastle's most important signings as the fact that they left high-flying clubs to come and battle relegation, with no release clauses, showed what Newcastle was about, and it was their efforts on and off the pitch that inspired the Magpies to avoid relegation that season.
While Bruno has gone from strength to strength, there's a feeling that age is starting to catch up to Trippier who turns 34 next month.
He's becoming more susceptible to injuries and his form has dipped considerably of late. There are rumours of off-field troubles that could be contributing to that too, with his wife, Charlotte Trippier causing much drama while he was away with England.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Trippier's name has been taken off his box at St James' Park which many are taking as an indication that he's exit-bound.
Trippier returned to training late in pre-season after taking England to the final of Euro 2024 and the full-back wasn't deemed fit enough to play a part against Southampton although How reluctantly put him on the bench.
In midweek he and Matt Targett took part in the U21s game against Sunderland which was likely done as a way to get some match sharpness back for the pair.
It could also be a way to show potential buyers that they are both fit, who knows? The box thing could be down to anything too. Trippier may just have decided he doesn't need it this season - the whole business at home suggests that Mrs T won't be attending his games, so why does he need a box?
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
12 | 16 | 31 |
2 |
Manchester City
|
12 | 5 | 23 |
3 |
Chelsea
|
12 | 9 | 22 |
4 |
Arsenal
|
12 | 9 | 22 |
5 |
Brighton
|
12 | 5 | 22 |
6 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
12 | 14 | 19 |
7 |
Nottingham Forest
|
12 | 2 | 19 |
8 |
Aston Villa
|
12 | 0 | 19 |
9 |
Fulham
|
12 | 0 | 18 |
10 |
Newcastle United
|
12 | 0 | 18 |
11 |
Brentford
|
12 | 0 | 17 |
12 |
Manchester United
|
12 | 0 | 16 |
13 |
Bournemouth
|
12 | -1 | 15 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
12 | -4 | 15 |
15 |
Everton
|
12 | -7 | 11 |
16 |
Leicester
|
12 | -8 | 10 |
17 |
Wolves
|
12 | -8 | 9 |
18 |
Ipswich
|
12 | -10 | 9 |
19 |
Crystal Palace
|
12 | -7 | 8 |
20 |
Southampton
|
12 | -15 | 4 |