Newcastle United are a side that doesn’t lack leaders right now, and Joe Willock believes they have an ‘amazing’ one in Kieran Trippier.
The 32-year-old joined the Magpies almost a year ago, and was the first player to be signed by the new owners. He arrived for £12million from Atletico Madrid, and had an immediate impact at St James’ Park.
Trippier raised standards straight away, and proved that he was going to be an influential presence. He wasn’t stepping on Jamaal Lascelles’ toes, but gave his all to get Newcastle away from danger and make the players around him better.
It wasn’t long before we saw him wear the captain’s armband, and he has done just that regularly this season. The only times he hasn’t been skipper is when Lascelles has been on the pitch – and rightly so.
With Lascelles as captain and Trippier as deputy, Newcastle have two vocal figures who other players can look up to. And they aren’t the only ones. Dan Burn, Callum Wilson and Jonjo Shelvey have all worn the armband during Eddie Howe’s tenure.
Leadership is vital right now at Newcastle, and it is creating a positive atmosphere for the players to succeed in.
One of those players is Willock, and the 23-year-old has expressed his delight at playing alongside Trippier.
Willock on Trippier’s ‘influence’
The midfielder has been speaking to the Chronicle, and heaped praise on his Toon teammate Trips.
“It was an amazing pass at Southampton and he’s [Trippier] an amazing player,” Willock said.
“I am just happy I can share the pitch with him. He is such an influence, he’s not only an amazing player but an amazing leader.
“We have a lot of leaders like that at the club and I feel that is a big strong reason why we’re so high up.”
Eddie Howe’s leadership group
Leadership and togetherness is a big reason why Howe has made Newcastle so successful over the past year. And no one epitomises that more than Trippier.
When he arrived, it was immediately clear that he was levels above everyone else at the club. But he didn’t drop his standard. Instead, he tried to bring players up to where he was. And it worked an absolute treat.
Even when he was injured last season, Trippier made a difference. He was in the dressing room and travelled to all the away games, even though he couldn’t kick a ball. That’s leadership. That’s togetherness.
For the likes of Willock, playing alongside Trippier is a dream. To have someone of that calibre in your side can only make you better, and we have seen the former Arsenal man really kick on in recent months.
Willock loves playing alongside Trippier, and we love seeing them both thrive in this Newcastle United team.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
