Newcastle United fans absolutely love Kieran Trippier, and Alan Shearer is no different.
The former Toon striker has showered Kieran Trippier with praise following the Magpies’ latest win. They beat Crystal Palace 4-0 on Saturday, with the 33-year-old helping himself to another assist.
Trippier now has seven for the season, and is arguably playing the best football of his career right now. He is in incredible form, producing another complete display against the Eagles.
He is very much the perfect modern day fullback right now. Trippier is just as good offensively as he is defensively, while he has also had a major impact off the pitch.
He was the first player signed by the new owners, at a time when Newcastle looked likely to be relegated. Trippier decided to leave the bright lights of Atletico Madrid for the Magpies, in a decision that could have massively backfired.
However, Trippier actually proved to be a catalyst for Newcastle, with his efforts and ability inspiring the incredible transformation that we have witnessed at St James’ Park.
The England international has raised standards, much to the delight of Alan Shearer.
Alan Shearer loves what Kieran Trippier has done for Newcastle
Shearer has been speaking about Trippier on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, and discussed the impact that he has had since joining the club in January 2022.
“I haven’t followed his career closely but I have always been aware of him,” he said.
“I think the football he is playing now for Newcastle is the best he has played in his whole career.
“He was definitely the game changer for Newcastle. He was such an important signing and, of course, Eddie knew him and when Eddie had gone over to Atletico Madrid to watch them train he kept in touch with him.
“He has no doubt been the game changer for Newcastle. When he came in he had won La Liga and there was a proper chance that Newcastle were going to be relegated, so it was a bit of a gamble on his part, and there was no clauses or relegation clauses in his contract.
“It was a gamble because he could have been relegated, so he came in and immediately his attitude changed other player’s attitudes for the better and his professionalism and everything else.
“He is absolutely bossing it at the minute at Newcastle. The fans love him. Defensively nasty, hard to get past. He’s been a great leader and going forward some of the balls he is whipping into the box and some of his play down the right is just superb.”
Seismic impact since his Newcastle transfer
Ever since joining Newcastle, Trippier has performed at an elite level. But the most important thing he has done is make those around him better.
He has forced his teammates to raise their levels, because he certainly will not lower his. While Eddie Howe has done a brilliant job in coaching the players, Trippier has also played a role in his teammates getting better. Just look at the way he links up with Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron on the right.
That first signing was vital for the Newcastle owners, and they easily could have got it very wrong. However, they could not have made a more perfect first addition.
As Shearer says, Trippier truly was the game changer for this Newcastle United.
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