Kieran Tripper claims “behind the scenes” issues at Tottenham caused him to leave the club for Atletico Madrid this summer.
The defender joined Atletico on a three-year contract earlier this month for a fee of around £20 million after fours years with Spurs, during which he became a regular for England.
However, his performances last season saw him lose his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad this summer just 12 months after scoring a brilliant free-kick in the World Cup semi-finals.
Trippier has suggested his aim is to win back his England spot by rediscovering his form in Spain, but the former Burnley right-back has claimed there may be more to his Tottenham exit than meets the eye.
“I think it was time for me to change and move on,” Trippier said (via Sky Sports).
“I don’t necessarily mean that I needed to move on, but things happened behind the scenes at Tottenham, which I don’t really want to go into, but I needed to move on from that.”
It’s unclear exactly what Trippier is referring to. Perhaps he fell out with Mauricio Pochettino, although the Argentinian did pick him as a starter in June’s Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.
Alternatively he may have been requesting a new contract and Spurs were probably unwilling to offer him a long term-deal. The 28-year-old signed a new five-year contract in the summer of 2017, and Tottenham are generally unwilling to hand lengthy extensions to players approaching their 30s – as has been the case with Toby Alderweireld.
All of the above, though, is mere speculation. It’s possible we will never discover what Trippier meant.
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Sounds like an excuse for him being so dreadful last season
I really don’t care what he meant imo he shouldn’t have said it. I was one of the supporters that wanted him to stay and was sticking up for him regarding his poor form last time out. I still think he will move on from that and come back even better and stronger than ever I also still hope that he does he’s a good lad, but I’m a bit peeved at him for even stating those words knowing what the papers are like and he knows they will twist this rubbish statement into us having troubles in our dressing room or something worse just to knock us down as always. You should’ve just gone on and let your football do your talking Tripps, bit of a low dig at the club that give you your platform and shows lack of class bud. COYS!
Agree with these two guys; shut it & show some class Tripps! And don’t blame everyone else if you’ve been found out to be a one-trick pony. Disappointing…
Maybe the unrest had something to do with his habit of passing the ball to opposition players in scoring positions, e.g. the Man U game. But what do I know?
Probably got told to stop moaning at his two centre backs when he was at fault. I did hear that him and Alderweirald had to be separated early last year and then both were left at home for the champions league game.
……when all’s said and done, there’s nothing left to say.
What a nothing article, click bait, was expecting to read some clever ideas or some ITK, but just conjecture. I would say his success at the WC went to his head and he forgot he still has to put in the hard work that’s needed in a Potch team
He’s been playing crap for ages he’s a negative player hardly ever attacks going forward he always passes backwards,he always appeals for something soft and loses the ball,he thinks he’s better than what he is he just played it safe.boring and negative and I’m glad he’s gone and Ali better start pulling he’s finger out too ?