Kieran Trippier reveals Newcastle United contract ‘reality’ after Eddie Howe confirms talks
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Newcastle United latest news: Kieran Trippier has spoken about his future at St James’ Park.
Kieran Trippier has addressed his future at Newcastle United on the eve of their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Barcelona.
Trippier may lead his side out at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday night as they look to upset the odds and record a famous European away victory. A 1-1 draw at St James’ Park last week sets up an intriguing second-leg tie in Catalonia, with the victor almost certainly set to face Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Newcastle United almost face the impossible on Wednesday night, but victory over Chelsea on Saturday will give them confidence that they can leave Spain with a creditable result in the bank. If they are to do that, then they will almost certainly be reliant on the leadership skills and experience provided by Trippier.
The former England international didn’t feature on Saturday evening, with Tino Livramento playing 90 minutes at his old stomping ground, but did start against Barca at St James’ Park. With a game to come against Sunderland at the end of the week, Howe faces a number of big decisions on who to start at the Spotify Camp Nou across the park, with right-back at the forefront of his considerations.
Kieran Trippier on Newcastle United contract ‘reality’
Trippier has spent four years on Tyneside after becoming the club’s first signing following the takeover. He has been a leader throughout his time in the Magpies’ dressing room after joining from Atletico Madrid in January 2022.
However, his contract at St James’ Park comes to an end this summer and his future at the club remains up in the air. As tradition, one player per side speaks to the media ahead of a Champions League tie and Trippier was the one put forward by Newcastle United ahead of their clash against Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
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Unsurprisingly, the defender was asked about his contract situation. He replied: “The reality is we know my contract is up at the end of the season but I'm not thinking about that. I'm thinking about tomorrow. I'm not looking too far ahead.”
When asked directly whether he wants to stay at Newcastle, Trippier added: “There's loads of possibilities. Football's a strange game. But I understand and respect that my contract's up in the summer. I think it's not rocket science that everybody knows my contract's up.As I said before, I'm not thinking about the future, I'm thinking about tomorrow.
“And that's just me being honest.In the next couple of weeks, obviously me and the manager will have a talk, of course. But let's just get tomorrow out of the way. Let's put in a good performance and focus on not just myself, but the team.”
On mood in the camp ahead of the great test awaiting them in the Camp Nou, a stadium Trippier knows well following his time in Madrid, he added: “We are as confident as we have been at any point in the season. It’s the happiest I have been at any stage. Hopefully we are peaking at the right time.
"The details of this game are going to be important. Dealing with their strengths and also trying to produce our best moments. I think when you consider the two games we've had against Barcelona, we've had some really good passages of play, some good opportunities to score, but we haven't beaten them so that's the challenge."
Eddie Howe on Kieran Trippier
Speaking last month about Trippier’s future at Newcastle United, Howe said: “I think his long-term future will be something again that we discuss,” United’s head coach said.
“I've said this before. But it won't be sort of one way. It'll be with Kieran.
“Kieran's vastly experienced. He knows what he wants as well. So we'll sit together and we'll try and come to the right conclusion for everybody.”