Warren Barton has delivered a rave review of Kieran Trippier, who became Newcastle United’s first January signing last week.
The 35-cap England international came in from Atletico Madrid to kickstart the revolution following the takeover of the club in October.
The 31-year-old put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year contract, signing for £12 million plus add-ons.
Trippier has already made his Toon debut, featuring in the 1-0 defeat to Cambridge United in the FA Cup on Saturday.
He drew praise for his display. And he also for the way he tried to get his new teammates to acknowledge the fans after the game.
That kind of leadership is actually what fans hope to see from him, and other new players that come into the club.
One already gets the feeling that Trippier could make a fantastic addition to the starting XI and dressing room.
And Barton is particularly excited by the signing.
He said of the former Tottenham Hotspur star (nufc.co.uk): “Kieran Trippier is a proper player. He’s a really good player. He’s an England international, he’s very versatile, he can play in a four at the back or he can play in a three.
“He’s in his prime, he looks very fit, and he wants to be in (this year’s) World Cup squad. He wants to play and he’s great with set-pieces.”
Newcastle fans are desperately hoping a string of new faces will soon follow Trippier into the club.
Only a few weeks in the January transfer window remain. Arguably, Eddie Howe needs at least four new signings for the second half of the campaign.
Newcastle have landed a bargain with Trippier, amid Barton praise
It is a pretty accurate assessment from Barton about Trippier.
He is a quality right-back, but is also a leader which is something that is going to help the rest of the players massively.
That dressing room needs as many model professionals in it as possible right now.
We’ve already seen Trippier showing leadership by shouting his teammates to acknowledge the fans.
Little things like that will immediate endear him to the Geordie faithful.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
