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Southampton Linked to Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier

By Alexander Balano

Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur FC during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur on March 10, 2016 at the Signal Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur FC during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur on March 10, 2016 at the Signal Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier has been identified as a possible target by Southampton.

According to the Daily Star, Southampton’s new manager, Claude Puel, is apparently eyeing an attacking right-back this summer so one of his targets is Kieran Trippier who was mainly Kyle Walker’s backup last season.

The Saints are planning on a £5 million bid to entice the former Burnley defender into switching clubs after making six appearances in the Premier League last season, five of which were starts.

Related Story: Tottenham Player Preview: Kieran Trippier

While Walker was Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice right-back and Trippier only made 19 total appearances in all competitions, it was critical to have the 25-year-old defender start in the Europa League because this meant that Kyle Walker would be fully rested heading into a weekend fixture.

All of which is to say that even as a pure backup, Kieran Trippier’s spot on Pochettino’s squad isn’t in jeopardy unless DeAndre Yedlin outperforms him in Australia, as both were selected to be a part of the Argentine manager’s 24-man roster.

If that is the case, which is a big if, then should Southampton be serious in their desire to sign Trippier for £5 million, Tottenham could go ahead with this sale as they will earn a nice profit of £1.5 million even if it isn’t that much to begin with.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06 : Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur takes a throw in during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at White Hart Lane on February 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06 : Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur takes a throw in during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at White Hart Lane on February 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

However, focusing on the backup right-back position should be one of the last things that Mauricio Pochettino attends to with other holes still needing to be addressed.

There’s no need to sell Kieran Trippier just because Southampton are interested, and well before Tottenham’s International Champions Cup tournament kicks off tomorrow.

Opinions might be divided in how they view the 25-year-old right-back but generally speaking he did a fairly good job in the limited time he was given.

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Because Kyle Walker improved considerably this past term from previous seasons when he was hampered by injuries, what was once thought as a potential changing of the guard at right-back didn’t exactly happen.

And it still might not happen if Trippier doesn’t show vast improvements with Walker still being given rest prior to the season opener against Everton on August 13. And, like mentioned above, if Yedlin puts everything together from the second half of last season when on loan with Sunderland.

At the moment, there has been no mention that Kieran Trippier has no future with Tottenham, so even with Southampton eyeing Trippier, he still is going to be on the squad this season.

Besides, continuously giving up on players after just one season would paint Spurs and especially Mauricio Pochettino in a bad light because he would be too quick to judge and move on. It would prevent Tottenham from signing players if they would be sold right away.

Next: Mauricio Pochettino Confirms Three Tottenham Players' Exits

For now, this transfer rumor should be kept in the back burner for the time being because right-back isn’t a priority. It never was last season.

If Kieran Trippier continues to play well then he goes into this season as Kyle Walker’s backup once again, which isn’t bad. It’s good to have two good right-backs.

If DeAndre Yedlin is just as good as Trippier, then it will come down to a matter of preference on who should stay. A player who has experience in England’s style of football (even if it was mostly in the Championship) or someone who is still learning on the fly and played in Major League Soccer?