England secured their place at the Euros with a 3-1 win over Italy last night, and Newcastle star Kieran Trippier delivered another fine performance despite being played out of position.
The full-back lined up on the left-hand side, where he has never played for Newcastle, but with England possessing strong depth at right-back and suffering from an injury crisis on the left, he was tasked with filling in.
Trippier played superbly to help beat Italy, and he has now earned praise from Newcastle legend Alan Shearer for his consistent performances.
Shearer praises Trippier
Speaking on The Rest Is Football Podcast, Shearer claimed that Trippier was one of the best players in the Premier League, alongside fellow right-back Kyle Walker.
“It’s unbelievable, you have two of the best players in the Premier League this season and last season that are probably automatics and have to be for England,” Shearer stated.
“Walker is what he is, what he brings to the England team, but in terms of Trippier I watch him most weekends and he’s having an unbelievable season. Two of the in-form players of this season, left-back and right-back.
Trippier’s excellence
The 33-year-old has proven to be one of Newcastle’s best signings in years, joining in 2022 for a bargain £12m from Atletico Madrid.
The right-back has been so good, that summer signing Tino Livramento has struggled to break into the team ahead of him, and he is continuing to deliver for both club and country.
At left-back yesterday, he won 100% of his tackles, completed three long balls and won three duels, in what was a different role than what he is used to.
He was not allowed to push forward as much as he does on the right, but he showed how complete he is that he was able to contribute well defensively in an unfamiliar role.
Trippier is finally gaining the recognition he deserves after years of going under the radar, and Shearer is correct that he is one of the best around in his position.
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