Kieran Trippier: Starting to make his mark at White Hart Lane

Kieran Trippier has had to play something of a waiting game at Tottenham since joining the club from Burnley in the summer. In truth it was always likely to be that way with Kyle Walker occupying the right-back position, but the former England Under 21 international has got more of an opportunity over the past couple of months and he appears to be taking his chance with both hands.

The 25 year old was one of Burnley’s most impressive performers in the Premier League last season and was an ever-present for the Clarets, starting all 38 league games and finishing all but one of them.

Although it ended in relegation for his club, along with Danny Ings it seemed he was always likely to find a club interested in his services.

 

Smart move

As it turned out that club was Tottenham and his capture represented a smart move by Spurs for numerous reasons. For starters a reported fee of £3.5million was miniscule by current standards and with a season in the Premier League under his belt, they knew that they were getting someone who could do a job at this level.

Trippier gave Pochettino a steady back-up to Kyle Walker and someone who could occupy a similar role in that he likes to get forward from right-back which suits the Argentine’s style of play.

With European football to contend with, Trippier was always going to get game time in the cups and a chance to impress, the only question would be whether he could cope with playing for a bigger club and the pressure that can bring.

He put in one or two jittery early displays in the Europa League, where he started all 6 group games and was firmly behind Walker in terms of selection for Premier League games. However since his early struggles, Trippier seems to have settled into life in North London and has gradually earned the trust of his manager.

 

Solidifying his place

Trippier has now made four Premier League starts in all having had to wait until 28th December at Watford for his first. All four matches have resulted in Tottenham wins as the North Londoners have soared into second place with the full-back’s most telling contribution a crucial winner in the home match against Watford earlier this month.

He has certainly impressed going forward and has done a job at the back although Walker still seems to be the preferred choice in crunch games like the trip to Man City last weekend.

With Spurs in genuine contention for the Premier League title while remaining in the Europa League and FA Cup, we are likely to see plenty more of Trippier over the next few months and he is looking like a bargain buy at £3.5million.

 

Written by Mark Sochon

Follow Mark on Twitter @tikitakagol

Check out his brilliant blog on all things La Liga, Tiki-Taka-Gol!

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