Player Focus: Trippier Move Would Represent Good Business for Spurs

Competition for starting places improves players' performance levels. One prime example of this was Danny Rose’s league form for Tottenham once Ben Davies was signed from Swansea City. The England hopeful’s starting spot came under scrutiny once the Welsh left-back arrived last summer, but instead of regressing; Rose developed into a well rounded defender and was, for some fans, considered one of Spurs' players of the season. 

A lack of competition can also have an adverse effect on a performer. Take Graziano Pellè, who, without being pushed to maintain his high early-season standards, saw his form drop considerably in the second half of the campaign. Without sufficient cover last term, Southampton moved quickly this summer to bring in a striker capable of pushing Pellè to return to his best form, securing the services of Spain international Juanmi on Tuesday. 

Spurs look set to follow suit amidst reports they are all but set to sign Kieran Trippier from Burnley. The young Englishman enjoyed a noteworthy debut Premier League campaign for the Clarets - only captain Jason Shackell (7.26) gained a better WhoScored rating than the 24-year-old (7.15) of all Burnley players last season. The potential deal, though, has been met with scepticism by some supporters, with some pondering why Spurs feel the need to sign a right-back in a position that is, to an extent, well stocked. 

Kyle Walker is currently Spurs’ first choice right-back. Manager Mauricio Pochettino can also call on Eric Dier and Vlad Chiriches to fill the role, though the latter is tipped to depart for pastures new this summer. Then there is young DeAndre Yedlin, though the 21-year-old is still considered some way off being ready to regularly compete in England’s top tier. One sub appearance was not enough of a chance to stake a claim for a regular starting berth and it’s possible that Yedlin will secure a loan switch to a Premier League side this summer to gain first team experience. 

Walker made just 15 league starts for Spurs last season, however, with injury wrecking his chances of returning to his best form. Dier and Chiriches, meanwhile, looked out of place at right-back, so the chance to secure Trippier’s signature is unlikely to be one the north London side are going to pass up. Given Trippier is only 24 years of age, the defender has the ability to improve under the watchful eye of Pochettino, much in the same way Rose has. 

There is certainly work to be done on the defensive side of Trippier’s game. This is viewed as a critique of the young defender, though similar was said of Rose before Pochettino took charge of Spurs. The left-back averaged more tackles per league game (2.8) last season of all players currently at the club, with Rose’s defensive positioning much improved, and it’s fair to say that was down to Pochettino.  

The idea now is that the increase in competition for a starting berth at right-back would see Walker up his game in order to regain his first team spot. Yedlin’s 2.6 tackles per MLS game from the 2014 season was the best of all of Spurs' current right-back options, though for the Premier League experienced performers who played right-back, Chiriches (3.3) ranks best. Comparatively, Tripper’s 1.9 tackles per game was the lowest of himself, Walker, Dier, Chiriches and Yedlin. 

It’s Trippier’s reading of the game, however, that stands out when it comes to defending. He has gained a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘ball interception’ with his average of 2.2 interceptions per game highlighting why. This weapon in his arsenal allows the 24-year-old to exhibit his excellent offensive qualities. Winning the ball in more advanced positions means Trippier can break forward to really hurt the opposition and this ability to apply pressure to opponents will have undeniably appealed to Pochettino. 

The Argentine is renowned for adopting an approach that helps instigate swift attacks and in that regard, Trippier fits the bill perfectly. Only Leighton Baines (70) played more key passes of all defenders in the Premier League last season than Trippier (64). Furthermore, the Burnley ace played more accurate crosses (91) than any other performer in England’s top tier last term. 

The modern day full-back is expected to press forward and provide a further offensive outlet from deep and Trippier fulfills this duty with aplomb. With all due respect to Burnley, a team of Spurs’ ilk will benefit more from the right-back’s creativity. When you consider Walker’s lack of output in the final third, the acquisition of Trippier makes more sense and certainly represents good business for Spurs. 

He matches chairman Daniel Levy’s model of buying young and cheap with a view of selling for a profit and is seen as the ideal "Pochettino player", in that he can be nurtured. Provided the Spurs boss can improve the defensive side of his game, Trippier could well be considered an astute acquisition by the club. 

The club have already moved to solidify their defence with the signing of Kevin Wimmer from FC Cologne. Tripper looks all but set to join the Austrian at White Hart Lane and while some supporters may not think so, the young defender has shown he deserves to be plying his trade in the Premier League and it’s reasonable to suggest that Burnley’s loss is certainly Spurs’ gain.

Do you think Kieran Trippier would be a good signing for Spurs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below