Emil Krafth has picked the perfect time to play his best football at Newcastle

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Emil Krafth has become Newcastle United’s unsung hero in recent weeks.

That’s a sentence that you never would have anticipated when the Magpies signed Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid. He was obviously Newcastle’s first choice right-back, while his most likely deputy was Javi Manquillo.

But injury and form has led to Krafth being showered with praise by the Toon Army.

Signed by Steve Bruce in 2019, his £5million arrival raised a few questions. He joined a squad that already had Manquillo and DeAndre Yedlin, but did nothing early doors to prove he was any better than them.

Fast forward to 2022, and Eddie Howe is getting a tune out of the Sweden international that no one expected.

Manquillo’s last start was against Tottenham, where he had an absolute disaster. Krafth has played every minute since, and performed brilliantly in wins over Wolves, Leicester and Crystal Palace.

The 27-year-old has been hugely impressive, and is playing the best football of his Newcastle career. And he’s doing it at the perfect time.

Emil Krafth form puts less pressure on Kieran Trippier to return

While Krafth has been brilliant, it’s clear that Trippier is still our number one right-back. He was a sensational signing, and proved with his opening few performances what a player he is.

That’s why his injury against Aston Villa was so crushing. The 31-year-old hasn’t played since, but is getting closer to a return. It was recently reported that he hopes to return this month. With just two games to go in April, time is running out.

But with how Krafth is performing, there is no rush for Trippier to return. We don’t need to take any risks when it comes to the £12million man.

Trippier is a key player for Newcastle, but we’re in such a good position right now that there’s no chance we’re going down – unless we have a meteoric collapse and results go against us.

That means Howe can take his time reintroducing Trippier to the team, rather than bring him back early and risk a setback.

With Trippier almost fit and Newcastle almost safe, Krafth has given Howe one less problem to worry about.