The most important post-takeover signing at Newcastle United

Occasionally football clubs alight on players who have that leadership ability. The type of players that inspire those around them and lead by example as well as by direction. Forceful characters with a cast-iron determination to win and a desire to raise the standards of their colleagues. The kind of people that you would follow into battle without question.

For those that grew up in the 1990s think along the lines of Tony Adams and Stuart Pearce. Bryan Robson and Terry Butcher are earlier examples of this type of rock-solid footballer. Patrick Vieira took over from Adams as Arsenal’s driving leadership force into the 2000s and had some titanic battles with Manchester United’s Roy Keane during that era.

Newcastle United were fortunate to bring home their local hero Alan Shearer in 1996, and he captained the club with force and pride.

The Magpies have had some good captains in their own way since Shearer’s retirement. Nicky **** and Kevin Nolan were respected players and strong characters, before Fabrizio Coloccini took over with a more understated style. Jamaal Lascelles had announced himself as a captaincy contender when railing publicly against the attitudes of some of his colleagues as a 22-year-old just after the 2016 appointment of Rafa Benitez, who saw fit to hand him the captaincy later that year.

Kieran Trippier arrived as the first signing of the PIF and Eddie Howe era in January 2022 and almost immediately elevated himself to Shearer levels of respect and leadership with his professionalism and attitude. The very fact Trippier was up for the challenge of a relegation battle, signing from Spain’s La Liga champions, gave an insight into his mindset. Of course, the money on offer was good and it was an opportunity for Trippier to come back to the Premier League at the age of 31, but not many would have committed to the task the way he did mid-season.

Trippier only made four league appearances in his first half-season before suffering a fractured metatarsal which kept him out until the final three games of the season, but his impact in those initial games was extraordinary. He scored the third goal to put the cherry on top of a crucial victory over Everton and then the winner against Aston Villa. There were periods of that Everton match where Trippier was controlling the game on his own, which is something St James’ Park had unlikely ever seen before from a right-back. His presence inspired confidence in those around him and he even stayed with the team during his injury layoff, travelling to away games on his crutches and taking his place in the team victory photos.

Trippier played in every Newcastle game in 2022/23, starting in all but the very early rounds of the cup competitions. Trippier was designated as on-field captain when Lascelles was not in the team. He scored a sensational free kick against Manchester City in the exhilarating 3-3 draw that announced Newcastle as a serious threat, and ended the season with 10 assists. The team was built around Trippier both for his ability on the pitch (he developed brilliant relationships with Bruno, Longstaff and Almiron) and his inspirational leadership and standard setting off field.

2023/24 started well for Trippier with more assists while the team’s attacking patterns still revolved largely around him, but he lost form badly from December onwards. He was culpable for goals conceded against Everton and Chelsea (a game in which he also missed a penalty in the shootout). By January there was real concern he could leave the club with a bid from Bayern Munich rejected, and he was experiencing some off-field troubles which appeared to impact his performances and positive influence in the squad. He missed eight games with a calf problem but recovered sufficiently to play a part in England’s run to the Euro 2024 final, after which he retired from international football.

Trippier was arguably the best right back in Europe for 18 months or so between the start of 22/23 and December of 23/24, and it was long since accepted by Newcastle supporters that he was the best full back in the club’s Premier League history, but he elevated himself to another level with his performance against Arsenal this week.

Having lost his place in the team to Tino Livramento and the captaincy to Bruno this season, and having only started eight games all season, 34-year-old, 5ft 8′ Trippier came in and had the force of character to absolutely dominate the Gunners. He set the tone early by bundling Kai Havertz over then letting him know he was in a scrap by screaming in the German’s face. He was heading corners away and blocking shots the entire game. He was bullying Havertz again later on and using all of his experience to calm the game down and ensure his teammates remained controlled and disciplined. If Trippier’s 2022 performance against Everton was special, this was an all-time effort. It will not be forgotten by any Newcastle fan that witnessed it, and it will make it very difficult for Howe not to pick him in the final against Liverpool.

Even when he has not been playing, Trippier can be seen coaching from the sidelines, geeing up the players on the pitch. His upbringing on the streets of the tough Northern town of Bury is evident in his fighting attitude, and it is clear to see why Diego Simeone loved him so much in Madrid. It would be a surprise if Trippier doesn’t channel his leadership skills into management in the future.

From a Newcastle perspective, Trippier is simply the most important signing post-takeover and at £12m one of the best value signings in the club’s history. It looked like his Newcastle story was drawing to a close, but he has ensured there is another chapter to go. Nobody should bet against him making it a success and securing his place in Magpies immortality.

HWTL!