Ancelotti responds to reported Napoli interest in Kieran Trippier
Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti admits there are players who interest the club amid speculation linking Tottenham Hotspur’s Kieran Trippier with a move.
The 28-year-old right-back sees his present contract in north London expire in June 2022 but has recently been touted for a summer transfer.
How has Trippier fared at Spurs? Five things to know…
- Trippier joined Spurs from Burnley in 2015 for a reported £3.5m.
- He’s gone on to make 112 appearances for the club registering two goals and creating a further 24.
- Since becoming a Spurs player he’s represented England on no fewer than 16 times.
- His only goal for the Three Lions came in the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia.
- He’s recently been linked with Napoli, Manchester United and Atlético Madrid.
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Since usurping Kyle Walker, before his move to Manchester City, the England full-back has been an ever-present in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup.
However, this season, he’s not been a guaranteed starter with many supporters frustrated with fluctuating performances, though it hasn’t stopped his name being associated with a host of clubs.
One side that has been prominently linked is Napoli and the recent revelation Trippier’s wife had visited the city only intensified reports, but when put to Ancelotti he wasn’t ready to entertain those rumours.
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“I don’t like talking about players who are elsewhere,” he told said.
“Trippier’s wife may well be here because it’s a beautiful city to visit. There are players we are evaluating, but there are negotiations, players who might not want to move, etc. There are players we are interested in and that’s all I’ll say.”
A mixed first season
Ancelotti returned to Italian football last summer when he succeeded Chelsea bound Maurizio Sarri in the Napoli hot seat. His previous spells with Parma, Juventus and AC Milan yielded one Serie A title with the Rossoneri in 2003/04.
Napoli, though, are set to finish best of the rest behind perennial champions Juventus. After their opening 34 matches — with four left to play — they’ve won 21 and collected 70 points.
At the moment only Juve (69) and Atalanta (68) have scored more than Napoli (64) with the aforementioned Juve (25 goals conceded) and Inter Milan (28) boasting a better defensive record than Ancelotti’s men (30).
Ahead for I Partenopei are home matches against Cagliari (May 5) and Inter Milan (May 19) plus away trips to SPAL (May 12) and Bologna (May 25). They need to collect five points from the last 12 available to ensure a second place finish.
