Kieran Trippier feels vindicated by Newcastle move

Eyebrows were raised last January when the England defender swapped Atletico Madrid for a club in the thick of a relegation battle, but already it is looking to be a sound call.

The Magpies eased away from danger after Trippier arrived last term and have enjoyed a brilliant start to this season, which continued after the World Cup break with Boxing Dayâ™s 3-0 win at Leicester moving them up to second.

âœI think I said it on the first day I signed, I want to help the club,❠Tripper said. âœI came when they were 19th in the league and got questioned about that, but I believed and have believed throughout my whole career.

âœI believed that I could help them stay up â- not just me, of course. But it is about building. We are high up at the moment but the Premier League is relentless so youâ™ve got to keep your feet on the ground.â

Having lost just once in their opening 16 games, Eddie Howeâ™s side look a good bet for at least a Champions League place this term and the fans are beginning to dream.

âœThe fans are there to dream,❠Trippier added.

âœThat is what they pay all their hard-earned money to watch us and follow us for. They can dream, of course.

âœAs players, we need to be realistic and keep our feet on the ground. Weâ™re in a good position in the Premier League and the cup. You canâ™t take anything for granted, youâ™ve always got to respect your opposition, but we believe.

âœWe are together as a team and a club and just take it a game at a time.â

Trippier was back in action a fortnight after Englandâ™s World Cup campaign came to an end at the quarter-final stage and he said there was never any doubt about his involvement.

âœAs players and being professional, it is about coming back and doing everything that you can for your club,❠the 32-year-old full-back said.

âœObviously we wanted to go far in the World Cup but that didnâ™t happen so I feel like it was important that me and the other boys came back straight away and got back into it because weâ™ve got massive games coming up.

âœThis was so important and I wanted to be involved.â

On England boss Gareth Southgate opting to remain in his position for the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Trippier added: âœObviously delighted. Gareth is a fantastic manager and Iâ™ve said that since Iâ™ve been involved with England.

âœIt is brilliant for all the lads, I think I can speak on behalf of all the lads. Gareth is a top manager. Now it is about focusing on the games in March, the qualification and moving on.â

Mondayâ™s result was a setback for Leicester, who had shown a real progression in the lead-up to the World Cup break.

The Foxesâ™ start of the season was hamstrung by a lack of activity in the transfer window, but boss Brendan Rodgers is hopeful they can add to their squad next month.

âœIt was a really challenging period for us which spilled over into our beginning of the season,❠the Northern Irishman said.

âœWeâ™ve had a number of meetings with the ownership and the board, in terms of availability of funds.

âœWe may not have the funds that others will have, but we will certainly be able to improve the depth in our squad.â