Sven Botman has revealed Kieran Trippier was the first player to welcome him at Newcastle United. Eddie Howe has installed the England right-back as captain for most of the season, with Jamaal Lascelles struggling to regain his place in the side.
Toon supporters have been impressed by the 31-year-old’s leadership skills since making the switch from Atletico Madrid in January. Trippier ditched the then La Liga champions for Tyneside and has quickly become a firm fans’ favourite.
Botman was embroiled in a transfer tug-of-war between Newcastle and AC Milan before completing his £32million move. Howe has eased the Dutchman into the fold so far as he gets to grips with the rigours of English football.
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Speaking to Match of the Day, Botman disclosed which player was the first to contact him after he signed. The 22-year-old said: “Trippier DM’d (direct messaged) me to say welcome to the club. It's always nice because after I was put in a group chat, everybody else (said) welcome.”
The Netherlands under-21 international also detailed the first conversation he had with his new manager. Howe made his vision for Newcastle clear - and that was evident again in Botman’s first training session.
“It was on a Zoom meeting,” the defender added. “We talked to each other about Newcastle, trying to get me there. He has a really clear vision of what he wants. For example, in one of my first training sessions, somebody shot from 30 metres at goal and he said ‘no, no, we're not gonna do this anymore. Play, play, play… that's the vision.”
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