Everton Opinion: Kieran Trippier would be the ideal replacement for Seamus Coleman
According to the Daily Mail, Everton are weighing up a £20 million move for Tottenham Hotspur and England right-back Kieran Trippier, with manager Marco Silva keen to shore up his leaky backline.
The same report suggests that Spurs might sell both Trippier and Serge Aurier to fund a move for Crystal Palace starlet Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the summer.
Trippier has started 22 games in the Premier League for the Lilywhites this season but the 28-year-old hasn’t quite been able to replicate the blistering form that he showed for England at the World Cup. He has contributed with a goal and 3 assists but his questionable performances at the back has raised a few eyebrows.
The former Burnley man has always been a regular for England in recent times but he was axed from the first-team in the Three Lions 5-0 drubbing of Czech Republic on Friday night, with manager Gareth Southgate preferring Kyle Walker at right-back.
Meanwhile, Everton’s links with Kieran Trippier should please most of the fans at Goodison Park, with the Toffees in dire need of bringing in a few fresh faces to bolster their defensive options.
The transfer ban imposed on Chelsea by FIFA has cast a major doubt over Kurt Zouma’s future at Everton, and with Yerry Mina struggling for consistency, Silva will probably have to look for a new centre-back in the market this summer.
That, however, is not the only area at the back which Everton need to improve, with Seamus Coleman’s lacklustre performances at right-back since the start of the last season making the Irishman a liability.
Coleman seems to have lost his sharpness and agility and has looked way off the pace at times. He has found himself exposed badly against quick opposition and his positioning and awareness have left a lot to be desired this season. Moreover, injuries have taken a toll on his fitness levels and he hasn’t made much of an impact in the attacking third either.
Everton have the option of calling upon England U21 international Jonjoe Kenny as an alternative to the veteran and Silva has preferred the youngster occasionally but someone like Kieran Trippier can certainly take Everton to the next level.
To put things into perspective,Trippier, with his well-rounded attacking and defensive qualities would be an upgrade on Seamus Coleman. He hasn’t hit top gear this season but that can hardly bring his abilities into question.
Even in a relatively lean season by his standards, Trippier has been a key presence down the right for Spurs, doing a decent job at the back and creating plenty of chances with his immaculate crossing.
Although the Englishman has let the team down on a few occasions with lapses in concentration at the back, he has still managed 2.3 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 2.2 clearances, which are decent enough figures for a offensive-minded full-back.
He hasn’t done a bad job in the attacking third either, registering 40 key passes and averaging 2.2 crosses per game in the Premier League. Those,in fact, are incredibly good stats for any full-back in the world, leave alone Trippier.
Marco Silva’s free-flowing attacking philosophy, which necessitates the full-backs to join the attack and link-up with the wingers, has brought the best out of Lucas Digne at left-back.
Trippier’s wonderful crossing ability coupled with his good understanding of the game and penchant for finding key passes should help Everton reach greater heights in the Premier League. Furthermore, he has plenty of Champions League and international experience under his belt, which should appeal all the more to a club like Everton.
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That said, Everton should go all out in their pursuit of the English international to replace the underwhelming Seamus Coleman.
