“There’s no excuse” – Trippier confronts poor 2018/19 Spurs form

Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier has revealed that a combination of injury problems and media speculation derailed his 2018/19 season, but has taken full responsibly for his poor form.

The former Tottenham Hotspur defender drew criticism from some sections of the match-going Lilywhite fanbase due to a lack of consistency at the back.

Did Trippier have a poor season? Five things to know…

• Trippier was a standout performer during England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals last summer.
• However, he failed to re-establish his previously excellent form at club level.
• A lack of consistency and injury irritations irked some members of the Spurs fanbase.
• Trippier himself addressed his form in May, saying he knows he “can play so much better”.
• The Atleti newcomer has admitted “there’s no excuse” for his poor form.

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After the Champions League final in May, the England international conceded that he had ‘been struggling with his groin for a number of months’, but ‘accepted’ that injury problems are part and parcel of the sport.

He has since relocated to the Wanda Metropolitano but has reiterated his stance that persistent injury problems, coupled with an unforgiving schedule, culminated in his underwhelming form.

“There’s no excuse for what happened last season,” he told BBC Sport.

“Some things happened – nothing bad, it was just injuries and hearing things like I won’t be there next season in the media.

“It was in the back of my mind: ‘Did they want me?’

“It was important to know – that’s why I sat down with the manager [Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs boss] in pre-season and asked the question.”

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Trippier “ready for a new challenge”

Trippier completed an unexpected £20m move to Atletico Madrid earlier this month, joining Diego Simeone’s new-look side following the departure of stalwart Juanfran.

So far, he has started at right-back in Atleti’s last three pre-season matches, including the 7-3 slugfest at the MetLife Stadium in New York against arch-rivals Real Madrid.

The England international looks set to play a big part in the Spanish capital and has since spoken of his appetite to get started in La Liga.

He said: “I feel fit and ready for a new challenge, a new chapter for me and my family – and I’m raring to go now.”