Tottenham got rid of me at the wrong time, claims Kieran Trippier

Despite only signing for Atletico Madrid this summer, Kieran Trippier has adapted to his life in Spain quite quickly. The Los Rojiblancos manager Diego Simeone has started the former Tottenham star in all three of Atletico's La Liga games this season - all victories - which have earned the full-back plaudits despite some reservations amongst the Spanish media. 

The 28-year-old has also admitted that his form had taken a turn for the worse, and things were not going his way before he left for Atletico. However, since his move, things have started to look up again for the fullback. He has replaced Manchester City star Kyle Walker in the England squad as the Three Lions prepare for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

"Tottenham probably got rid of me at the wrong time because I just needed that four-week rest for recovery, because I was struggling with injuries, to come back fresh and ready. So, maybe I could have stayed, but I’ve got no regrets. I’m at Atletico now and I’m just looking to the future. I was hearing a few rumours that I would be going at the end of the season, but it wasn’t the right time to speak to the manager or the club about it,” Trippier told The Telegraph.

"That was playing on my mind for a few months, which it would you know, you are hearing things. I tried to block it out. I tried to do my best at Tottenham last season, I wasn’t going into games not trying. I had a conversation with the manager, a meeting with the chairman to see what my future was and I didn’t get the impression that they wanted to keep me.

"It is football. It happens​. It’s disappointing. I gave everything for the club and I wanted to stay, I had another couple of years left, but everything happens for a reason. ​ Me and the manager didn’t leave on bad terms, he has done a lot for me and I respect him highly,”​ the England international added.