Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold should retire from International football after Gareth Southgate suggested that Kieran Trippier is ahead of him in the England pecking order.
Football is a game of opinions, I understand that, and there are some who feel TAA is better than Trippier and vice versa, however, and that’s fine, but it’s the sheer disrespectful way that Agbonlahor has gone about making his point that will have got the backs up amongst the Toon Army.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Gabby said: “If I was Trent, I would retire from international duty if I don’t get in the World Cup squad. I would retire until a new manager took charge of England. 100 per cent.
“What’s the point going away on these international breaks? You can stay with your club, rest and prepare yourself for Liverpool.”
Alright, Gabby, so far so good.
“For Southgate to come out and say Trippier is all-round better than Trent, I think that’s an insult. I do like Trippier but Trent is an all-round better player. Walker and James are better than Trent, but don’t say Trippier.
“Come on. The joke’s over, Gareth. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did retire because we’ve seen players in the past retire because they weren’t playing for England.” (Taken from The Chronicle)
Aaaaand there it is.
Who Is Better?
Kieran Trippier
Trent Alexander-Arnold
I don’t listen to much of what Gabby has to say, but when I do hear him it always seems like he has a problem with Newcastle for some reason. Even recently when he was talking about the possibility of Jack Harrison coming to Newcastle it was based on the fact that he’d be getting paid extortionate amounts of money.
Kieran Trippier is easily as good, if not better than Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has more international experience, a cooler head and better leadership qualities than Trent. Trent may be quicker and may be more likely to pop up with a goal from open play, but being good in one area doesn’t make you better overall. At the end of the day, if what Southgate is looking for is a right-back who defends, then that’s Trippier over TAA, even Liverpool fans can admit that. Maybe. Quietly.