"I am absolutely grateful to all the time that Kieran has been here with us," Diego Simeone said of former Atlético Madrid defender, Kieran Trippier. "He has behaved very well, he has worked very well, he has been a very important footballer for us. And now for us, it is to always look ahead to what is coming."
Standing at 5ft 8in, hailing from Bury, Trippier surprised many when he made the move from Tottenham Hotspur to Atleti in 2017 for a fee of €20 million, becoming their first English player in 95 years. The last Englishman to feature for the club being a forward named 'Drinkwater' who scored ten goals in three games according to reports from the 1923/24 season, with little more said of him. Unlike his predecessor, Tripps leaves Los Colchoneros with his contributions well-documented in the history books.
During his 18 months at the Wanda Metropolitano, the right-back racked up 86 appearances, 11 assists and one coveted title: 2020/21 La Liga champion. In doing so, he became the first Englishman to win La Liga since David Beckham formed part of Real Madrid's title-winning side in the 2006/07 season. Now, he leaves the Spanish capital for Newcastle with his career firmly back on track and a new challenge afoot.
Source: uk.news.yahoo.co.uk
A quiet start in Spain
Trippier's debut season in Spain came ahead of the 2019/20 season and he had a dream start, assisting Álvaro Morata in a 1-0 home win over Getafe. His solid performances, and attempt to learn Spanish through three lessons per week saw him quickly gain acceptance from the fans. Simeone soon became fond of him too, making him his first-choice right-back.
After overcoming a groin injury in January 2020, Tripps played 90 minutes of Atleti's extra-time win over Liverpool at Anfield in March, the final fixture before the beautiful game was locked away for months. *That* infamous game at Anfield would be one of Tripps' last visits to the UK for some time, with tight restrictions put in place for all in Spain and back in England.
Source: mirror.co.uk
The season came close to being null and void due to the hold the pandemic was having on all aspects of life. However, much to the delight of the fans, especially those supporting Atleti's city rivals, the season continued in June 2020. Atleti ended the season in third position, 17 points adrift from champions Real Madrid and 12 points behind second-placed Barcelona.
Third-place in the league and knocked out by RB Leipzig in the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League was perhaps slightly less than what the England international had hoped for. However, the season that followed would have been much more to his liking - every cloud and that...
Source: eurosport.co.uk
Shy of luck, suspension and silverware: Tripps' second season
The Bury boy picked up from where he left off, starting the 2020/21 season in formidable fashion. Once more, he was backed by Simeone as the first choice right-back. Tripps started every game up until distaster struck in December 2020. He was investigated by the Football Association for having allegedly committed four breaches of betting rules. The allegations were traced back to him telling his close circle about his move to Atlético Madrid the summer before. This circle then placed bets on his transfer, causing an infringement.
Trippier was given a 10-week ban and fined £70,000 for the matter. Simeone would no longer be able to use the defender as they looked to mount a serious title challenge. Now, not only was the title in threat of slipping out of reach for Tripps, but his place in the England squad for the forthcoming 2020 Euros also looked under question if he failed to return to the fold immediately after he finished his suspension.
Source: eurosport.co.uk
By the time he featured again in March 2021, Trippier returned to the team fitter than ever and determined to catch up for lost time. In his absence, Simeone's side did not derrail in the league but looked close to imploding during a number of close-fought games. Now, they had their stalwart at right-back in the team once again.
A Madrid derby with reigning champions Real Madrid awaited the returning Englishman and he was reinstated into the the starting lineup as Atleti drew 1-1. There was still plenty of hard work left to be done if Trippier's side could go onto winning the league, but with his presence in and around the squad, anything was possible once more.
Luckily for Atleti, the likes of Ángel Correa and Marcos Llorente were also putting in performances fit of incumbent champions throughout the season. Luis Suárez was in his befitting lethal mood in front of goal all season, as he is synonymous for. The Uruguayan eneded the campaign with 21 goals. In truth, the workrate of Simeone's men was the key driving factor which saw them become favourites to end the season as champions.
From March onwards, Atleti were able to overcome any obstacle thrown at them. They often had to dig deep in order to muster enough quality and fight to battle their way to the finish-line. On their final game of the season, they beat Valladolid 2-1 and secured the title. 'Los Colchoneros' had won their first La Liga since the 2013/14 season and Tripps won his first major trophy as a player.
Source: intothecalderon.com
In October 2021, Trippier reflected on his first bit of silverware during an interview with the Guardian's Sid Lowe:
“The bus journey home was crazy. The beer was flowing, everyone was singing, the míster [Diego Simeone] was all over the place. He’s relentless and just to see him relax, like a weight was lifted. We’d crossed the line. My first call was to thank my wife; she broke barriers coming here, too. You sit back, take it in. My first trophy. A surreal moment. When I got home, my little boy was singing ‘campeones’, a big cake, balloons … You realise: we’ve just won La Liga.”
Returning to the UK
After enjoying a fruitful Euros campaign for England and starting the final against Italy, Trippier had succeeded in a mission that he had set out on in July 2019: To get his career back on track at Atlético Madrid. A champion, fan-favourite and respected member of the squad, almost everything was perfect for Tripps going into the 2021/22 season, except one thing - family.
It was reported that his family had returned to the UK after the Euros, which led the defender to look at opportunities back home as to be reunited with his people. Atleti captain Koke said in an interview that he often walked past Trippier's house in the evening and that the defender was in bed by 7pm. Abroad alone, without his wife Charlotte and two children - Jacob and Esme.
source: taddlr.com
On 7th January 2022, Newcastle announced that they had signed the England international from Atlético Madrid. His Premier League comeback was secured. A career revival in Spain complete, he left the club a champion and with love from the fans for his role in winning the title, as well as the work he did off the field.
Here's hoping that he can stay up a bit later in the evening now, back with the people who know him best. Buen trabajo, Tripps, buen trabajo.
source: skysports.com