Kieran Trippier targets England call-up this season

Tuesday 29 Jul 2014
Kieran Trippier was one of Burnley's key players in their promotion last season
Former England Under-21s defender Kieran Trippier is targeting a Three Lions call-up this season as he builds up to his first season in the top flight with Burnley.

The 23-year-old has been one of the best players outside of the Premier League over the last few years, twice being named in the PFA Championship team of the season.

And the former Manchester City youngster already has plenty of international experience to his name, having represented England in a European Championship Final and a World Cup.

Kieran Trippier in action for England Under-21s against Germany in November 2010.

Trippier in action for England Under-21s against Germany in 2010

 

He played alongside current Three Lions stars Danny Welbeck, Andros Townsend and Kyle Walker as Brian Eastick’s U19s reached the Final of the 2009 Euros in Donetsk, where they lost to host nation Ukraine.

Trippier was then part of the U20s squad which travelled to Egypt for the World Cup later that year before his last cap came for the Under-21s against Italy in 2011.

"Obviously I played from such a young age for England but you never know," said Trippier, when asked about his prospects of getting into Roy Hodgson’s thoughts.

"I don’t want to just think I’m going to walk into the England team because it doesn’t work like that.

"Like I’ve said to my family and friends, if it happens it happens and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

"It all comes down to myself and how I perform as an individual and with the team.

"I need those good players around me that we’ve got here [at Burnley] to break through to the England team.

"It’s obviously one of the things that's in my mind but I’ve got to take it day by day and you never know."

Watch a young Tripper speaking to FATV ahead of the 2009 U19 Euros

 


A pacy and tigerish right-back, Trippier is equally effective in attack as proved by the 14 assists he collected in helping Sean Dyche’s side to automatic promotion last term.

But he knows he faces a lot of competition for a spot in the Three Lions squad, so is happy to just concentrate on his own game and wait for a chance as the Clarets prepare for their first season back in the Premier League since 2009-10.

"There are loads of players and Glen Johnson is the number one right back, but there are so many good young players that maybe if they get given the chance they’re hungry to keep the shirt," said Trippier.

"You’ve got [Calum] Chambers, Nathaniel Clyne, [Kyle] Walker, obviously Glen Johnson, [Kyle] Naughton at Tottenham, [Andre] Wisdom, Martin Kelly, [Jon] Flanagan and [John] Stones, who was at Barnsley with me. 

"I’ve just got to concentrate on my own performances and hopefully do the best I can like I’ve done in every game I’ve played for Burnley.

"Then if you get the nod, you get the nod, which would be an honour and privilege to play for my country."

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels