Kieran Trippier has been in danger of becoming England’s forgotten man despite his remarkable success in Spain.
Trippier, 30, won the title with Atletico Madrid, was voted in the La Liga Team of the Season and has been enjoying the best form of his career.
And yet when everyone talks about right backs, even Gareth Southgate joked that the whole nation is “a bit myopic” because Trippier never seems to be in the conversation.
Reece James is a European champion, Kyle Walker won the Premier League title, Trippier is a star in Spain and yet the most fuss has been made over Trent Alexander-Arnold who finished third with Liverpool.
Trippier said: “I'm enjoying myself so much out there. I'm just fully focused on doing the best I can for my club. I'm absolutely delighted I won the title out there.
“People might not focus on me as much because I'm out there in Spain, the Premier League is the Premier League, but I'm enjoying myself, loving it, my family are enjoying it, there's sunshine every single day so I just need to keep doing as well as I can for Atletico.
“I'm delighted I've done that and now I'm part of England. I know Gareth watches the games along with his staff, so for me it's just about doing as well as I can at the highest level to try to be selected for as long as I can with the national team.”
Trippier also believes he has improved during his time in Spain, he is a better player now than he was when he reached the World Cup final in 2018 and has improved on the defensive side of his game working under Diego Simeone.
But Trippier, who served a lengthy ban this season after breaching FA betting rules over his move from Tottenham in 2019, also believes he is better for the experience.
He said: ”It's good to see other players like (Ashley) Young, (Fikayo) Tomori, Jadon Sancho and Jude in Germany, but for me personally, its been a great experience, a different culture, working with Simeone.
“He’s worked extremely hard with me, especially one to one, tactically where he wants me to be defensively and I think I have improved on my defensive side (of the game).
“I said in many interviews when leaving Tottenham that I knew I had to improve my defensive side and feel like Ive done that working with Simeone.
“So I hope that more English players do travel to play abroad because it's great learning curve and experience, but more than anything else they will enjoy it as well. Speaking of my own experience, I'm absolutely delighted I've done it. I've won a title and long may that continue.”
But of course there is some competition - and that does not even include Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tariq Lamptey - so to have four right backs in a squad of 26 must at least create some banter as well.
Trippier added: “There are a lot of right-backs not here who are also doing extremely well also but we all get on really well. But for four of us to be included…
“We are all over the moon we are in the squad. We can play in different positions and are absolutely delighted to be involved. We are looking forward to the Euros and being involved.”
