Kieran Trippier’s move from Tottenham to Atletico Madrid surprised many this summer – none more so than the defender who criticised Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy for the manner of his departure. After a below-par campaign, Trippier’s future was up in air, but his next destination was uncertain.
The 28-year-old made 38 appearances in all competitions last season, but Spurs were willing to move him on without signing a replacement. Mauricio Pochettino had a lot of trust in Serge Aurier, Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth to deputise, but Trippier is still arguably a better option than the trio.
He admitted to The Sun that he was frustrated and disappointed with how his Tottenham exit came about, revealing that Pochettino was never open and honest with him. Trippier also called out Levy for a lack of communication. He said: “I spoke to the manager about his plans and I didn’t get a ‘yes’ and I didn’t get a ‘no’ — so you get the impression.
“I heard rumours about them selling me and it’s not nice but it happens and it’s football. It’s disappointing. I gave everything for the club and I wanted to stay, I had another couple of years left but everything happens for a reason.
“Me and the manager didn’t leave on bad terms, he has done a lot for me and I respect him highly. It is just a few things — I tried to speak to the chairman, I just didn’t really get an answer.”
“I set the bar high at the World Cup and they knew how well I could do. Tottenham got rid of me at the wrong time . . . but I struggled with injuries. I could have come back fit and fresh but they made the decision and now I’m at Atletico.”
Trippier joined Tottenham from Burnley in 2015 and went on to make 114 appearances in all competitions, scoring and creating 26 goals. He signed a three-year deal with Atleti over the summer and has impressed under Diego Simeone already.
A lot of fans were happy to sell Trippier after his poor form in 2018/19. But if they knew a replacement wouldn’t be signed, they may not have backed the decision. Pochettino doesn’t even trust Aurier anymore and would prefer to play Davinson Sanchez at right-back.
So should Tottenham have kept Trippier?