Kieran Trippier has revealed he left Tottenham after failing to receive assurances from the Londoners over the summer, claiming Daniel Levy ignored him before his move to Atletico Madrid.
The defender is back in the England squad after starting the season well in Spain, and he has been speaking to his British media upon his return to familiar surroundings.
Asked about why he chose to leave Spurs, Trippier admitted he became unsettled when transfer rumours first began to surface, leading to conversations with Mauricio Pochettino.
And although Pochettino did speak to him about his future, unlike, Tottenham chairman Levy, Trippier claims he was not given assurances about his place in the team.
“I heard rumours about them selling me and it’s not nice but it happens and it’s football. I heard things from people last season, I was hearing a few rumours that I would be going at the end of the season,” the 28-year-old said (via the Mirror).
“I spoke to my wife and I spoke to my brother who I speak to all the time, and decided to pull the manager in pre-season to see what’s going on.
“He (Pochettino) didn’t say he wanted to move me on. I tried to speak to the chairman about it. 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.
“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 just feel that Tottenham probably got rid of me at the wrong time because I just needed that four week rest for recovery because I was struggling with injuries to come back, fresh, ready.
“So maybe I could have stayed, but I’ve got no regrets. I’m at Atletico now and I’m just looking to the future.”
Trippier’s performances were not up to scratch last season as the right-back made a number of high-profile errors and generally flattered to deceive. That said, some have accused Spurs of selling too hastily after the club failed to bring in a replacement.
Davinson Sanchez struggled on the right of a back four at Arsenal on Sunday due to injuries Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth, while Serge Aurier was an unused substitute – the Ivorian’s future is far from certain despite the closing of the transfer window.
What do you think? Did Tottenham handle Trippier’s exit poorly? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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I’ve always thought he was not 100% last season you don’t become a bad player over night and I would of liked poch to have kept him when he is 100% he’s is a class defender we will miss him as without doubt Sunday with him playing I think we would not of conceded two goals
Sundays result Need I say more
Selling for 20m suggests he was out of favour, maybe attitude who knows. He wasn’t the only defender to be inconsistent.
If Pochetino wanted him he would have said so. Sissoko would be a good full back as he is unlikely to score a goal let alone get on target. Sanchez struggled against some pacy attackers on the weekend