Kieran Trippier had been a regular in the Tottenham starting XI since the departure of Kyle Walker, but his time with Spurs peaked during their 2017/18 season title challenge.
Trippier did not fare so well during 2018/19. His season was marred by patchy form, frustrating fans and Trippier himself (BBC). This culminated in being dropped by England manager Gareth Southgate for England’s run to the UEFA Nations League Semi-Finals (The Times).
There were a number of reasons why he made the move to Atletico, the former Burnley man stated (Hallands Nyheter).
“For a number of reasons (why he left Spurs). It was the right thing at the moment, and I have come to a great team. I’ve always wanted to play abroad and I didn’t want to let this opportunity slip away from me.”
Trippier, however, had proposed in previous interviews that there were possibly less savoury reasons that prompted his switch to the Wanda Metropolitano (Sky Sports).
The England international believes he has nothing to prove, “I just want to enjoy my football and I’m going to do it. As I said, this is a new step and a new challenge. I just want to make it as good as I can be for my teammates and for my team, and hopefully, achieve a lot of success.”
On whether he recommends English lads joining him abroad: “I don’t know. I would advise English players to play abroad. This is a great opportunity to learn new things. It’s a different environment, different coaches and a different style of play. Maybe it’s because players don’t want to get out of that bubble of playing in England. But for me, it was not a problem.”
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After the departure of Trippier, Tottenham chose not to find a replacement at right-back. Having said that, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is not short of options at right-back with Serge Aurier, Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth – who played right-back for Argentina at the Copa America (HITC), all hoping to cement their place in the side.
We may never know exactly why Trippier chose to leave North London, but we wish him the best on his new journey in Spain. Who knows, Spurs may yet face him in this year’s Champions League competition.
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