Kieran Trippier is a special player for Newcastle United, and Eddie Howe has compared him to Bruno Guimaraes.
They were the Magpies’ major additions in January – an England defender with a huge reputation and a Brazil international who cost more than £30million.
Trippier and Bruno had an immediate impact at St James’ Park, and continue to be key players for Howe. The former is the on-pitch captain when Jamaal Lascelles doesn’t play, while the latter has eased into life as a Premier League midfielder.
Both players have a huge role in the Newcastle United project, and highlight the incredible recruitment that has gone on since Mike Ashley left the club.
They are fantastic footballers, but also great people. And Howe believes that is just as important.
Howe on Trippier arrival
The Newcastle manager has sat down for an interview with Alan Shearer for the Athletic. He commented on Trippier’s arrival and explained how it was similar to Bruno’s.
“The thing I loved about his attitude was something very similar to Bruno (Guimaraes),” he said.
“No relegation or escape clauses, all-in, desperate to come, wanted to pull on the black and white shirt. That was so refreshing.
“Getting the right characters in like that, people who just wanted to fight and had no way out, is so powerful. Character is a huge part of what we do in recruitment and coming into a relegation battle, it felt like a non-negotiable.”
Newcastle signed a special player in Trippier
It was a real shock to see Newcastle sign Trippier in January. He arrived for £12million for Atletico Madrid, and had an immediate impact.
He raised the standards of the club, and brought people up to his level. The defender didn’t just move to St James’ Park for a payday – he came to make a difference.
And that is summed up by the fact his move didn’t include a relegation release clause. That’s huge considering how big a player Trippier is and our situation when he joined.
The same goes for Bruno, who joined Newcastle in the same year he could be going to his first ever World Cup. But again, no release clause was inserted. He wanted to play for the Magpies, and had the character Howe was looking for.
Trippier and Bruno wanted to come and dig in, and it ended with Newcastle easily avoiding relegation. Now we’re in a very positive position and looking up rather than down.
They are special players for Newcastle, and we are very lucky to have them.
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