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Kieran Trippier: Why is Tottenham star not playing for England? Sky Sports man makes claim
KIERAN TRIPPIER was left out of the England starting XI against Croatia on Friday - but why did Gareth Southgate drop the Tottenham star?
England travelled to Croatia in their second Nations League match, looking to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat to Spain last month.
Trippier was a star for England at the World Cup in the summer, playing in the right wing-back position in the side that reached the semi-finals.
The former Burnley man scored a stunning free kick in the semi-final defeat to Croatia and was dangerous with his delivery from set pieces.
Kyle Walker started against Croatia in place of Trippier in his more natural right-back role after playing as a right-sided centre-back in the summer.
Croatia vs England LIVE: Nations League score and updates
On Trippier, is the idea that with this system there maybe won’t be that reliance on set pieces?
Southgate switched formation from a 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3 for the trip to Croatia.
And Sky Sports presenter David Jones suggested Trippier was a victim of Gareth Southgate changing his tactics.
“On Trippier, is the idea that with this system there maybe won’t be that reliance on set pieces?” Jones said.
“He’s trying to find a way to create more chances through open play.”
Former England striker Emile Heskey agreed with Jones, claiming a front three of Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford will create plenty of chances in open play.
“Yeah definitely,” he said in reply to Jones.
“With Sterling and Rashford up front, very creative, very fast, very dynamic.
“You expect them to be causing a load of problems and creating a lot of chances for Harry Kane.”
Former England right-back Alex Scott admits she feels sorry for Trippier.
“I think it’s hard for Trippier to miss out,” she said of the Tottenham man on Sky Sports.
“When you look at his performances in the World Cup, the creativity he gave us from set plays.”