Is he staying or is he going? The narrative surrounding the future of Kieran Trippier changes almost hourly.
Over the weekend a report surfaced claiming that Kieran Trippier had agreed terms with Turkish Super Lig side Eyupspor, and just as the story hit mainstream media, Craig Hope moved to clarify that no such agreement existed.
Trippier then sat on the bench as Newcastle United beat Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday with the vice-captain getting up to yell instructions from the touchline without making it on to the pitch, once again showing his class and leadership.
Then, on Monday, Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett shared that three Turkish sides were now interested in Tripps with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce and Besiktas joining Eyupspor with an interest in loaning the recent England retiree.
Now, Football Insider and their infamous 'sources' are claiming that Newcastle will reject any approach for Trippier in the final days of the Saudi and Turkish transfer windows and will keep hold of their vice-captain until at least January.
Trippier is a huge favourite of Eddie Howe and he's been vocally opposed to losing Tripps since he was first linked with a move away in January.
It can't be overstated just how important Trippier has been for Eddie Howe. He was his first signing as Newcastle boss and his arrival was taken as a huge statement of intent for the new Magpies regime. He immediately transformed Newcastle by stepping up as de facto leader, even in the presence of captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Whatever happens in the future, Trippier has earned his place in the pantheon of Newcastle players who will never have to pay for a pint when in the Toon.
However, he is running the risk of having the shine on his plaque dulled if he doesn't manage to sort his head out soon.
Tripps has lost his place in the side to Tino Livramento and is reportedly keen to move to ensure more football, but he is also going through a lot off the pitch and that seems to be affecting him more than the footballing decisions and is believed to be a huge driver in his desire to move away from the club.
The Turkish window closes on September 18th, so Howe has another two weeks to fend off interest, or Trippier has two weeks to convince Howe to let him go. We can understand both arguments and will support the eventual decision either way.
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 |