Kieran Trippier has claimed Tottenham were opposed to an operation he felt was needed last season before his move to Atletico Madrid.
The defender joined Atletico from Spurs last summer after a difficult final season in north London. His form dipped drastically on the way to the Champions League final and Mauricio Pochettino clearly deemed the former Burnley man expendable going into the current campaign.
Ironically, the Londoners have suffered something of a crisis at right-back this term without Trippier. Serge Aurier has impressed in spells but mostly been hopeless defensively, while Jose Mourinho shipped Kyle Walker-Peters out on loan to Southampton in January.
And Trippier, who has already suggested there were issues “behind the scenes” last term (via Sky Sports) that led to his exit, now appears to have criticised Tottenham for going against his wishes to have groin surgery.
The 29-year-old finally went under the knife earlier this year and is now fit again, but he thinks the operation should have happened last season.
“I have struggled for months with my groin and pelvis, and I eventually went for surgery just after the winter break in Spain,” Trippier said (via Football London).
“The timing of the operation meant I was only out for a few weeks, and I feel much better now.
“I should have had the operation last season at Spurs, but people did not want me to have it. I had so many issues there in my last season, with injury struggles and my performances.”
Things were clearly not quite right between Tripper and Spurs towards the end. It seems a departure was the best outcome for all parties, regardless of Mourinho’s current right-back problem.
