Is selling Kieran Trippier a beneficial move for Tottenham?

Will selling Kieran Trippier, who is linked with a move to Napoli, benefit Tottenham in the long run, or is it a decision that will hamper the club’s progress?

First, don’t believe everything you read.

Transfer windows are rife with speculation, most of which amount to nothing more than hyperbole. It’s inconceivable, in the lead up to his current club’s most important match in a generation, that Trippier has committed his allegiance to a Serie A side.

You’d think Trippier has enough on his plate concentrating on the task at hand, quelling Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane’s formidable threat. If he has prematurely pledged his allegiance to Napoli, good riddance. While football is more a business than ever before, surely the English right back is focussing wholly on the most important match he may ever play in.

Transfer rumours, however, often materialize based on some truth. Obviously Trippier’s agent is shopping his asset, looking for the most lucrative deal to propel the 28 year old’s career forward.

Will selling Trippier benefit Spurs?

After a sensational 2017-18 season followed by a wondrous maiden World Cup, Tripper endured an extended reality check this season. Blighted by inconsistency, Trippier suffered some horrid performances, most of which highlighted his inability to defend well. Often a defensive liability, he was exposed readily, both in the Premier League and in Europe.

Even the quality of his usually precise deliveries and whipped crosses suffered this season. He connected on fewer crosses and long balls, and often had a torrid time clearing the first man on corners. To boot, his dead ball deliveries left a lot to be desired, particularly after setting the bar so high for the Three Lions in Russia over the summer.

For all his faults, Trippier is Spurs’ bona-fide right back. There is no like for like replacement ready to step in and play consistent top flight football. including Serge Aurier, who is even more prone to match-altering errors.

Kyle Walker-Peters will eventually start at right back for Spurs, but is by no means the finished article. The 22-year-old needs another season before potentially cementing his place in Tottenham’s starting 11.

It’s a harsh reality but Tottenham don’t have a right back of Trippier’s quality at their disposal. Until the club sources a right back good enough to replace Trippier, they can’t possibly contemplate selling him to the highest bidder.

If Spurs find a suitable replacement for him, £20 – £25 million is a reasonable price for a player with too many defensive frailties, whose stock has accurately devalued since peaking during the World Cup semifinal less than a year ago.