Scout Reports

Could Kieran Trippier improve Newcastle’s defence and become an FPL option?

After weeks of speculation, Friday saw the official announcement that Kieran Trippier (£5.0m) had become the first signing of the new era at Newcastle United.

It felt like a coup for the 19th-placed side to successfully attract England’s main right-back away from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, especially for such a reasonable initial £12m fee.

The next day, in typical Newcastle style, things swiftly turned farcical as Trippier’s debut ended in a shock FA Cup elimination to League One’s Cambridge United.

Trippier has been handed a £5.0m price tag by Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and, at first glance, that seems steep amongst a defence with just one clean sheet so far. However, with further names expected through the doors of St James’ Park, could a more stable defence combine with a promising fixture run make the 31-year-old a good option?

We’ll explore this below.

THE HISTORY

Born in Bury and part of Manchester City’s academy from the age of nine, Trippier joined Eddie Howe’s Burnley on loan in July 2011 in a move that soon became permanent. His fourth year at Turf Moor was in the Premier League and it led to a £3.5m transfer to Tottenham Hotspur. Initially back-up to Kyle Walker (£5.4m), it was during his final two seasons in north London where Trippier became a regular.

He racked up impressive attacking contributions from right-back, regularly assisting for the likes of Harry Kane (£12.2m). Summer 2019 brought a move to Atletico Madrid, where manager Diego Simeone has an eye for good defenders and clearly rated Trippier. Two-and-a-half years brought 68 league appearances and Simeone’s farewell quotes suggest Trippier will be missed at the Wanda Metropolitano.

“I’m absolutely grateful for the time Kieran has been here with us. The club gave him 48 hours to resolve the situation. He’s behaved very well and been very important for us. We want him to stay, but you can’t force anyone to stay. An extraordinary player” – Diego Simeone

Across his stint in La Liga, Trippier ranks joint-fourth for assists (10) and fourth for chances created (81) among defenders.

SET PIECES

Part of his high number of assists is due to his set piece duties, which famously saw him score a free kick in England’s semi-final of the 2018 World Cup. He’ll likely take over most of these responsibilities at Newcastle, although Jonjo Shelvey (£5.3m) has done an okay job.

For set piece stats, Newcastle usually rank around the middle of the pack for the first half of this season. Six goals have been scored from them, compared to Liverpool being top with ten and Manchester United being bottom with none. Their 63 attempts ranks joint 12th.

THE PROSPECTS

Could Kieran Trippier improve Newcastle's defence and become an FPL option?

His new club have kept just one clean sheet so far this campaign – a number only worsened by Watford. And it’s the Hornets who travel to Tyneside at the weekend, starting a promising run of fixtures that presents their best chance of escaping relegation. Leeds United (a), Everton (h), Aston Villa (h) and Brentford (a) are amongst their next five, with games in hand due to Everton (a) and Southampton (a) being postponed.

Under new ownership, Newcastle are the focal point of this January transfer window, with almost every rumour trying to link another name to join Howe’s side. They know a lot of incomings need to arrive and quickly. A range of centre backs such as Sven Botman, Diego Carlos, Benoit Badiashile and Issa Diop (£4.3m) have been rumoured. If any are successful, it could be argued that Newcastle will improve their awful defensive statistics.

They’ve conceded the most shots, most goals and fourth-most attempts on target. Eddie Howe believes Trippier can help fix these problems and the millions of FPL managers will be looking with curiosity, ready to swoop if needs be.

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

182 Comments Post a Comment
  1. lugs
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    feck, no captain tonight for Sky, think i'll just sit this one out 🙁

  2. EffPeeEll
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Good luck calvert-lewin owners tonight.

    make up for that penalty miss eh!

    1. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Joke?
      Game is off

      1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Wow your fast mate.

  3. Jump in Micah
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts on how many minutes Lookman will get next DGW? Am thinking 120?

    1. EffPeeEll
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      might get a full game if they play a 7 a side match

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      90 if they manage to get team next week?

  4. Moxon
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best GK for a WC?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Sanchez

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      David

  5. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Chris Wood going to Newcastle. They’ll need another striker as well if they want to stay up.

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Next we buy Dennis. Pukki can stay at Norwich

  6. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Only just found out that Carlos Quieros is Egypt manager.
    That’s them out of the Afcon in the group stages then and we’ll all be scrambling to get Salah back sooner rather than later

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      He is terrible! The worst manager we've had in 20 years, just pure crap 🙁 We will qualify though to Round of 16

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        What were the Eygptian FA thinking? 🙁

  7. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Coutinho 6.5M

    Interesting. Whos in?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Not me

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Sounds like a bargain. Early Grealish mk2?

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Even half liverpool coutinho is surely worth that

    3. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, looks good to me, especially if he can nail down set pieces.

    4. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      It’s a definite ‘wait and see’.

      I mean it’s Coutinho, not Messi.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly, Messi has no prem experience

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          I’ll take that as a joke!

    5. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Fools gold, he's a classy Townsend who has long been on the way down from his one great season

      But, if AV get the DGW I might get him for the new club bounce. Might not happen and it won't last long if it does, I'd wager

    6. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      All day, throw in a double in 23 and those fixtures that follow, must be worth a tickle.
      Maddison exit strategy.

    7. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Could be. He'll be breaking his bolli# to get picked for Qatar too.

    8. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Might be

      1. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Hard pass…for now

  8. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Broja blank tonight chaps I’m afraid, because he only scores when he’s on my bench 🙁

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      2 points won't make deliriously happy but I'll be slightly relieved it's not 1.

  9. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    DDG
    Cancelo TAA Coady
    Bowen Maddison Jota Gray
    Antonio Kane Watkins

    Subs: Bachmann, Livra, Bernardo, James

    1.5 ITB

    James to Cucurella the best option here?

  10. AC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ronaldo owner here, does anyone have a sense that it’s all bubbling a little to close to surface regarding his issues at United? This guy hasn’t had any muscular twinges and he’s now having some minor issues? He can’t like being asked by Rangnick to change how he’s being playing.

    I’m only thinking this in terms of gwk 22 and that maybe he pulls out of one of the games they are hardly high profile and that his ´minor issues’ continue?

    The opportunity is to switch to and captain Kane. There’s no facts on thé above what’s in the press it’s gut feeling, just wondering if anyone else is having the same thoughts or alternate views?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn’t read too much into it pal.
      I’m not an ‘ITK’ or anything, but I believe he’s had a small muscle complaint, and I’m sure he’ll be back next game.

      I also think that it’s actually some of the senior players who have a problem with Ronaldo (not Ragnick).
      Ronnie is too much of ‘professional’ for the tastes of some of the wasters at Man Utd - and they know that Ronaldo makes them look bad and uncommitted in comparison

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Get Kane.

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Out of the frying pan and into the fire 🙂

        1. Walter White (WW)
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Smells like a hot spicy fish in there

          1. AC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers all interesting to get some perspective. Il wait until Friday and make a decision.

  11. Scrumper
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone have any insight into how the Villa attack likely lines up now? Interested in Watkins, but concerned about Ings eating his minutes.

    1. ZTF
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I have Watkins and think I’ll move to Ings as soon as possible. He’s looking sharp and has shunted Watkins to the wing. Problematic now Coutinho is about.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Watkins is a perpetual motion machine - he looked quite sharp to me last night. I like Ings too but he's more injury prone. With Coutinho's arrival either or both of them might be getting more bullets to fire soon.

      1. Scrumper
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Hmm, as much as I'd prefer Watkins or Ings due to games in hand and potential Countinho uptick, just can't predict whether either or both play consistently.

        I'm thinking that Antonio might be the safer option for now.

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Ings and Watkins up front constantly watching Coutinho's 35-yarders fly into the stands

  12. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Newcaste is very close to sigh Cris Wood.

    1. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Uh?

      1. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Basically, since no one is willing to come to Newcastle in a relegation battle, we figured the next best thing would be to buy the strikers from our relegation rivals

        1. Walter White (WW)
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Haha. I still strong believe they are gonna go down tbh

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I would sigh as well.

    3. JRD
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      newcastle want fellaini also

    4. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      According to SkySports they want Wood ready for the game against Watford.

  13. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Wondering any news on Foden? Yellow flagged in FPL as match fitness.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No news is good news in this case I think.

      I’m confident he’ll be fit & ready to go. Just need Pep to bloody pick him in the starting XI is all…

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        That's what I thought yeah, ta!

  14. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Coutinho

    ... a shiny old thing?

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      It's a no from me

    2. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Wait and see...

  15. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hi mods, is it possible to get the suspension tightrope section reset on the main page? Think I'm right in saying only Digne and Doucoure are at risk now so it's not very useful atm and a bit alarming to see e.g. CR7 and Dias on there...

    1. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Brownhill, Rodriguez and Mee (all Burnley), Romero (Spurs) and Rose (Watford) are also still at risk.
      See https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2022/01/05/which-fpl-players-are-suspended-or-nearing-a-one-match-ban-and-who-is-safe/.
      Apparently removing just some of the players on 4 reds is not easy.

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Ah right ok, cheers.
        Guess I'll hang tight on buying Danny Rose then 🙂

  16. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Wood G
    Trippier A

    Just practicing

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Ban

      😉

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      The Manquillo - Joelinton partnership is nothing but happy memories now!

  17. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    LEI listed on FPL as having upcoming DGW. Is this still correct

    1. ZTF
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  18. FPL Insanity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Regarding C.Wood. What's the rule with buying a player before he moves to another club? How does it work with price paid? Do they keep the same price?

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes same price

      1. FPL Insanity
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Opportunity to have 4 Newcastle players!

      1. FPL Insanity
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Joking aside, is that a loophole in the rules? I don't want 4 x Toon, but would be awesome for some other clubs

        1. onceuponatyne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, it is a loop-hole, but you if you ever wanted a different player from that team (than the 4 you have), you have to reduce it to three max.

          1. STEP rOVERS
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Nope you would need to remove one Newcastle player if you have 3 on your next set of transfer to adhere to the rules

            1. onceuponatyne
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Fair play, it might've changed since I got away with it moons and moons ago.

          2. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            In pre-season some people were loading up on 3 City and Grealish. Didn't work out.

        2. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          You could do it in these kind of transfer circumstances, but the next time you make another transfer the validation will not allow you to keep all 4 - you'd have to sell one.

    3. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      This would be an exception, if he moves to Newcastle his price would drop..

  19. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Next Sale - Dennis to Newcastle followed by Raphina to Newcastle.

    You just need to finish above three clubs to stay up. 😉

    1. onceuponatyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, we might need another 20 decent players tho. 😐

    2. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Mate of mine switched from supporting Man Utd to Newcastle when they got all the money back a few weeks ago. Think he was expecting signings a bit more exciting than Chris Wood

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Is he six?
        Who changes which team they support?

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Wow, an extreme Glory hunter. 😀

      3. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Punch him in the face next time you see him please

  20. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Brentford CS gone early!

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      G - Bednerek
      A - JWP

    2. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      😆

  21. Yordan Letchkov
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Diego Costa is a free agent again. Would love to see him getting a contract in the PL 🙂

  22. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Son to Maddison and maybe Ramsdale to Sa for 4ph? (Sa better option that DDG?) Or anything else? 1ft 1.3ib
    Ramsdale -- Cancelo - Dalot - TAA
    Son - Mount - Bilva - Bowen - Jota
    Dennis - Antonio - Ronaldo
    Gunnarson - Son - White - Diop
    Thanks guys!