Alan Hutton, a former Tottenham player, has expressed shock in selling Kieran Trippier without buying a replacement.
The right-back was bought from Burnley in the summer of 2015, and made 114 appearances for the Lilywhites over four seasons (Wikipedia).
Trippier, who made 38 appearances in all competitions in 2018/19, had just returned from a World Cup that included an incredible free-kick in the semifinals.
He repeated the feat will an August goal versus Fulham, though poor form ailed him for most of the season, with most fans able to recall his own goal in a 2-0 February Chelsea defeat.
It was no surprise when Tottenham sold, but Trippier has hit the ground running with Atletico Madrid, supplying two assists and having started all seven games (TransferMarkt).
Meanwhile, Spurs have shuffled through mixed performances from Serge Aurier, Kyle Walker-Peters, and Davinson Sanchez.
And Hutton, speaking to Football Insider, said, “I am surprised Trippier was sold. Walker-Peters is a young boy who looks a really good talent, Aurier is up and down, so to get rid of such an experienced player…I think last year he had a bit of ups and downs but he came back from the World Cup.
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“It’s difficult, people don’t understand how hard it is to play a full season, go into a tournament and then come back – he set that standard for himself of such a high level. I did find it a bit strange – a great move, I think personally, to move to such a big team is an unbelievable move. It was a bit strange how it all happened.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
A groin injury-plagued Trippier for most of last season, so I’m not surprised he’s played well this term. However, I’d attribute his early success with Atletico Madrid to La Liga’s slower pace, which better suits his strengths. Spurs could use a top-class RB, but Trippier was never that guy.
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