Newcastle United have kicked off their transfer window with the imminent signing of Kieran Trippier, with the club aiming for proven quality to help them pull away from the Premier League’s relegation battle and build for the future that their new ownership envisions. England manager, Gareth Southgate believes he is highly underrated as a defender.
Gareth Southgate said: “What Kieran has is hugely underestimated. People are still seeing the lad that was at Tottenham a couple of years ago and not the defensive animal that has grown at Atletico Madrid, trusted by one of the best and most successful coaches in the world. He gets his distances right on cover, he’s good one-v-one to stop crosses and his talking is really good.”
As well as the technical ability Trippier has as a defender, Southgate mentioned his ability to organise and communicate, which will be important, given Newcastle’s shambolic defending thus far in 21/22.
Gareth Southgate said: “There was always going to be changes to our back four and we felt that communication and organisation was an important part.”
