‘The best football of his career’: BBC pundit lauds Newcastle player at World Cup

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Danny Murphy has claimed that Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier is playing ‘the best football of his career’ after England’s thumping 6-2 win over Iran at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate’s side started their campaign to win a major trophy for the first time since 1966 in a quite stunning fashion, with Trippier starting at right-back instead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

With Chelsea’s Reece James missing the World Cup through injury and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker still unable to play, it put Trippier in the driving seat to start another game at a major tournament for his country and he didn’t disappoint.

Trippier didn’t score, nor directly assist a goal, but he did play a huge role in the first of two Bukayo Saka’s goals when his corner was knocked down by Harry Maguire, before Arsenal’s thriving star, on the half-volley, sweetly guided the ball into the back of the net.

At 32, Trippier is a senior figure in the Newcastle and England dressing room and Murphy thinks he has vastly ‘improved’, as he told Match of the Day.

“Competition for places creates an intensity for better performances,” said Murphy. “But even if you just think of people who were there and have been there. I think they have improved.

“When you look at Trippier, for me, he is playing the best football of his career. Luke Shaw looks like a fullback who knows his own skill. He is completely confident with what he is doing on the football pitch. And most of the players that played back then have improved.”

TRIPPIER ONE OF NEWCASTLE’S BEST BUYS

Back in January, Trippier was the first real stand-out and statement signing from Newcastle’s new Saudi-led owners.

Playing in the Champions League, for then-La Liga holders Athletico Madrid, Trippier was the first big name to accept the ambitious project being put on the table for the Magpies.

Fast forward to the present and, if Eddie Howe’s side continue in their current ways post-World Cup, then Trippier might just be returning to the Champions League sooner rather than later.