Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier helped England get their Euro 2024 campaign off to a winning start.
The 33-year-old was deployed at left-back by Gareth Southgate as expected, with Kieran Trippier asked to play out of position as Luke Shaw continues his recovery from injury.
It was a tough task for Trippier, who was not on his favoured side, while his role was made tougher by not having a conventional winger in front of him.
But the Newcastle United star put in a solid performance to help England secure a 1-0 win, with Jude Bellingham scoring the only goal of the game.
Ian Wright asks Kieran Trippier question after England win
However, it was not a perfect night for England. A lot of questions have been asked about the performance, with the Three Lions displaying a real lack of game management.
The team selection has also been debated, with Jamie Carragher surprised to see Anthony Gordon not feature.
But Trippier was one Toon player who did feature, and Ian Wright was happy with what he saw from the man who was asked to play out of position. However, speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, he did admit that he does have one concern regarding Trippier at left-back.
“Trippier for a right footed left-back, very solid,” he said.
“He can get forward and can still pass the ball well. I thought that [the back four] worked pretty well.
“Trippier as a right footed left back needs to be tested against the top teams, can you imagine Florian Wirtz finding space? That’s what you have to worry about.
“But I thought it went okay.”
Trippier might lose his place later in the tournament
As Wright says, Trippier was solid. He barely put a foot wrong, bar the odd sloppy pass. But he should be forgiven for that, as that was a recurring theme for a lot of his England teammates on Sunday night.
Defensively, he did not do much wrong. He made a couple of vital interceptions, at a time when Serbia were pushing for an equaliser.
But Trippier could be tested later in the competition depending on how far England go, and Wright is fearful that better players could cause the Newcastle defender a lot more problems.
That is certainly a concern, as Trippier was not really tested on Sunday. But if England make it out the group, it will not be long before he is facing top level talents like Florian Wirtz, Lamine Yamal or Federico Chiesa.
That is when the left of England’s defence could be tested, but there are doubts over whether Trippier will still be in the team by then. While he is one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted players, he is out of position.
And the fitter Luke Shaw gets, the more tempted Southgate will be to throw the Manchester United man into his starting XI.
For now, Trippier will have to continue at left-back. And, for now, he is more than good enough to cope.
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