TalkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan has been praising Newcastle United’s start to the season – including the performances of full-back Kieran Trippier.
Which is quite the revelation, considering the former Crystal Place chairman once called the set-piece specialist “a ghastly individual”.
Newcastle United signed Trippier from Atletico Madrid in January for a reported initial fee of £12 million. The England international has since gone on to become a key player in Newcastle United’s new era.
What did Simon Jordan say about Kieran Trippier this time?
Speaking on his talkSPORT One 2 One segment, Jordan spoke highly of Newcastle United’s start to the new season. He even suggested that expectations of immediate success, despite their newfound fortune, was unrealistic.
As part of his praise, Jordan commended the club’s buying policy, highlighting Trippier as a marquee recruit. Jordan even touched on his previous criticisms of Trippier, which have clearly not prejudiced his opinion of Trippier’s on-field performances.
“People like Kieran Trippier have been outstanding,” said Jordan. “People make this observation that I said he was only going for the money. I didn’t say that. I said he wouldn’t be going there if there wasn’t the prerequisite amount of money and opportunity.
“He says he is getting the same money he was getting at Atletico Madrid or less. I would suggest he is getting better opportunities for being at Newcastle for a variety of reasons. Some of them might be economic some might be longer-term contracts.
“But notwithstanding that, he has been an absolute revelation.”
What has Simon Jordan previously said about Kieran Trippier?
In January, when Trippier’s Newcastle move was on the cusp of completion, Jordan suggested that the defender was heading to Tyneside because the “economic package suits him at this stage of his career”.
Trippier himself said the comments did not affect him. He told the True Geordie Podcast the main motivation for heading to Tyneside was bringing his family back to the UK.
But it is not the first time Jordan has had harsh words to say about Trippier. After the ex-Tottenham star was handed a 10 week ban for breaching betting rules Jordan called him a “disgrace” on talkSPORT.
Yet Jordan is clearly willing to see beyond his previous issues with Trippier to admit what an impressive piece of business he has been for Newcastle United.
Since returning to the Premier League, the 32-year-old has been in fine form and has even captained the side for much of the current campaign.
If Trippier can even get a compliment from Jordan, then he must be doing something right.
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