Trippier lifts lid on England's secret full-back factory as latest star emerges

18 November 2023 , 22:30

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Bury is famous for black pudding, Sir Robert Peel - and England full-backs.

‌The Lancashire market town on the outskirts of Manchester is home to Gary and Phil Neville, Kieran Trippier and new Three Lions recruit Rico Lewis. It has produced more England players who have appeared at major tournaments than any other town in the country. Maybe there’s something in the Irwell water.

‌Trippier, the Newcastle defender who at the age of 33 is currently the most productive performer in the Premier League when it comes to creating chances, can't explain why Bury is the go-to place for a full-back. But he does know that the position has changed beyond all recognition from the days when the Neville brothers were operating on opposite flanks for both Manchester United and England.

‌“The game has evolved tactically compared to when Gary was playing,” said Trippier.

‌“Gary was one of those players who would bomb on. He was a top-quality right-back and he deserves huge credit because you don't win that many titles for your club or play for Man United for that long if you weren't a good player. But if you look now at the way full-backs are playing, you see Trent (Alexander-Arnold) at Liverpool coming inside.

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Trippier lifts lid on England's secret full-back factory as latest star emerges

Trippier is a crucial member of the England squad (Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)

‌“Or Stonesy ( John Stones ). One minute he's playing at right-back, then he’s at No 6, then he's an eight, and then he's just behind the striker - so he's everywhere like he was in the Champions League final. That comes with managers like Pep Guardiola coming into the league and changing the way his teams play - and then obviously a lot of other teams try to copy that. But I don’t have a clue why Bury has produced so many full-backs, to be honest with you. Rico has come in now - and he’s been top for Man City.

“The demands on the position have changed so much. You’ve got to get forward, you’ve got to go on the overlaps or play as an inverted full-back. But ultimately you’ve got to defend as well. I think if you look at all of the English full-backs, there is some incredible talent.”

Rico Lewis is now part of the England squad (PA)

‌Tripper is versatile enough to operate on either flank. This season, no-one has created more Premier League chances than the former Manchester City, Burnley, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid favourite. Only Pedro Neto has more than his six assists.

‌“I’m feeling really good,” said Trippier., “There have been a lot of games but this is what you want. At club level, Champions League football, progressing in the cups. You’ve got to keep going. When I went to Spain, I learned more about myself, looking after my body better, eating the right things and doing extras to try improve myself.

‌“So now, it’s sleep, eating better, training, recovering. I am always willing to learn and keep my career for as long as possible. I had a good chat in the off-season with a guy I got introduced to in America. Just about sleeping patterns. Little things I could tweak to try and improve my fitness.

Trippier is able to play at left and right-back (FRANKIE OKEEFFE/PPAUK/REX/Shutterstock)

‌"I'm still trying to better myself and it has been interesting to see the effect little improvements can have on your performance, your moods and things like that. To be honest, I’ve not really looked to the future to see how long I can play for. But I feel better now than I did in my late-20s. I don’t feel like I’m slowing down.”

‌It seems unthinkable that Trippier won’t be on the plane to Germany for the Euros next summer given how Southgate has employed him as a left-back when there have been injuries to Luck Shaw and Ben Chilwell. But he is taking nothing for granted.

‌“Luke and Chilly are quality left-backs but Gareth has played me there quite a few times for England. I’ve said many times, I will do what is best for the team.

‌“If I ever have the opportunity to play left-back for my country, I will play there. The most important thing is the team. But I need to keep performing well for my club first before I can think about the Euros.

‌“Like I said, there are so many good full-backs in England at the moment that I need to focus on my own performances. Obviously I want to be there but I know I need to be playing at a high level to be successful.”