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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...
Danny Mills believes Kieran Trippier could struggle to stay relevant after joining Atletico Madrid, per talkSPORT.
What’s he said?
Tottenham Hotspur confirmed that they had reached an agreement with the Spanish club to sell the England international on Wednesday and Football FanCast understands that Atleti will pay £20m for his signature.
It comes after he endured a difficult season in the Premier League that was characterised by a number of mistakes, including a comical own goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
But Mills has questioned the logic in the England international’s move, insisting he will struggle to adapt in La Liga.
He said: “This time last year, coming off the back of the World Cup, he was like a hero. Suddenly, after one or two mistakes, it looks like he's being moved on.
“It's a very, very strange situation, is Atletico the right club for him?
“They're an ultra-defensive club with a manager who basically says to his full-backs, 'do not cross the halfway line'. It could be a difficult move for him.
“He's going to have to make this work, otherwise, he could slip off the radar.”
Nonsense - Trippier should be praised
An English player should be admired for taking such a step, not criticised or lumbered with Mills' needless negativity.
The facts of the matter are these: Trippier is deemed expendable at Spurs, per sources, and needs a fresh start after seeing his stock fall to the point of missing out on England’s squad for the Nations League finals.
A move to Atleti sees him link up with one of the finest defensive coaches in the game in Diego Simeone and gives him the chance to test himself against the likes of Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Gareth Bale. He should be praised for making such a maverick move.
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And while it may seem like a left-field signing because Trippier isn't a traditional defender, his dead-ball expertise - as evidenced so beautifully at the 2018 World Cup - is perfect for Atletico.
Per WhoScored, the Spanish side netted 25% of their goals last season from set-pieces. That number will likely rise if Trippier is on free-kick and corner duty and one can see why the Spanish club have targeted him. The idea of him being a poor fit, in that respect, just doesn't stack up.
Mills' comments, then, are needlessly negative and almost set the full-back up to fail. Maybe he is expected to - English players rarely move to the Rojiblancos - but Trippier would do well to ignore him.