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Trippier keen to capitalise on Walker's exit and earn World Cup spot

Tottenham's Kieran Trippier is looking ahead to the World Cup next year
Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier is looking ahead to the World Cup next year

Kieran Trippier says he is more excited about the coming season than any other in his career as the Tottenham right-back aims to capitalise on Kyle Walker’s departure and earn a spot in England’s World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old has spent almost two years as Walker’s understudy, but there were signs late last term that a changing of the guard was imminent.

Trippier got the nod for Spurs’ three biggest matches in the final month, starting the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and then the Premier League clashes against Arsenal and Manchester United.

In the end he finished with six assists for the campaign – one more than Walker despite starting exactly half as many matches.

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Now Walker has completed a £50million move to Manchester City, becoming the most expensive defender in the history of the game – and Trippier is keen to make the most of his chance to shine.

Asked if this is the most excited he has been about the start of a new season, he said: “For sure. Obviously with what’s gone on, my England debut and Walks moving on, it’s opened the door. When these opportunities come along you’ve got to grab it.

“We’ve not discussed [whether I’ll be the first-choice right-back] yet but I want to put it in his mind that I’m ready to step up and be the number one.

Kyle Walker is England's first choice right back
Kyle Walker is England’s first choice right back

“It’s the manager’s decision if they decide to bring another right-back in but I’m not going to worry too much about that. I know what I can do.

“I got more games towards the end of last season and I think I did well. I need to keep working hard every day and if the manager picks me he knows I’ll do well for the team.”

Trippier’s progress in the second half of last season was rewarded with a senior England debut against France in June.

He is now eyeing a seat on the plane when Gareth Southgate’s side head to Russia next summer for the 2018 World Cup.

“It was one of the proudest moments of my life, putting on that England shirt,” said Trippier, speaking after taking part in a Q&A with youngsters from the Special Olympics organisation in Orlando, USA.

“I’ve got to thank the manager (Mauricio Pochettino) for that. I’ve learned a lot from the manager and the players since coming here.

“My dream is always to play for England. Before I came to Tottenham I dreamed of that. I always wanted to try to do it, I’ve tried and tried.

“I’m at the best club for me now and every time I pull the shirt on I want to do my best for Tottenham, and hopefully my performances are good enough to get picked for England. There’s the World Cup next year.

“Is that a target for me? Personally yes, of course it is. Every game I play I need to put a performance in because you’ve got Walks at City, [Nathaniel] Clyne at Liverpool, so there’s tough competition.

Kieran Trippier sees himself as a natural successor to Kyle Walker's place
Kieran Trippier sees himself as a natural successor to Kyle Walker’s place

“My standards won’t be dropping because Walks is gone. I’ll be exactly the same, hungry to play, to start every week and do well.

“Getting that England cap has just made me more hungry. I’ve had a taste of it, meeting all the boys and the manager. It was exciting times for me and my family and I want more of it.”

Trippier is looking forward to continuing his development under Pochettino, having just signed a new five-year contract at Tottenham.

“It’s a massive club with a massive future ahead, a new stadium,” he said. “Playing with the players I do every day and training with the manager, he’s an unbelievable manager. Even when I wasn’t playing, he’s unbelievable.

“He’s always having a laugh, making jokes with you and making sure that everyone’s a part of the team.

“We’ve got a young, hungry team and we all feel like one team. The manager’s like that. For me he’s one of the best managers in the world.

“My attacking [has improved]. When I was at Burnley I put a lot more crosses in, but some of them were just crossing. Now I pick and choose my moments.

“My defensive side, of course you can always work on that, which I can do – I’ll be honest about that. But [being here] has changed me as a person.

“I feel more mature and my attacking most of all has [improved] – just playing out from the back, which I’d never really done before at Burnley.

“I’m more confident on the ball. If you give it away the manager’s not bothered as long as you try things.

“Playing out from the back, attacking, my all-round game has improved and I thank him for that. As I say he’s one of the best managers in the world.”

It remains to be seen whether Pochettino will seek to recruit another right-back, but Trippier insists he already has able competition.

“I’ve got Kyle Walker-Peters, who is a very good player,” he said. “He’s a very good, hungry right-back. He’s just won the Under-20 World Cup.

“And I always give my best, regardless of whether there’s somebody there or not to make sure I’m number one.”

As they continue their preparations for the forthcoming campaign, Trippier and his team-mates are hoping to improve on their third and second-place finishes from the last two seasons and win the Premier League title.

“We just need to keep believing. We’ve been so close in the last two seasons,” said the full-back. “You’ve seen plenty of players and teams be the nearly men. As players here now we know what to do.”

If Trippier does secure a winner’s medal this season, he may be tempted to add to his selection of tattoos – but for now he has other plans for the space at the top of his right arm.

“I just had a little boy (Jacob), so I’m going to get him on there, but my wife’s said ‘what happens if we have more?’” said the defender. “I don’t want to get too many faces on me!”

Trippier’s son caused some amusement during the farewell ceremony at White Hart Lane in May, having been pictured staring in seeming wonder at Pochettino.

“A lot of people were tweeting me about that,” said the Spurs man. “Even the manager sent me that himself, having a little bit of banter.”

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