Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier was the subject of debate between Rio Ferdinand and Joel Beya on their latest FIVE show.
The Magpies star has been an indispensable player for Eddie Howe’s side in their rise from Premier League relegation battlers to Champions League competitors.
Ferdinand, Beya and Stephen Howson debated on the show whether Trippier is a better player than peak Gary Neville.
This was after the Newcastle star delivered a superb performance in the Magpies’ 4-1 Premier League win over Chelsea at the weekend.
Except for fouling Raheem Sterling, Trippier was mostly flawless both from a defensive perspective and on the attacking front as Newcastle hammered their opponents.
“He’s a better ‘footballer’, he’s not had a better career,” Ferdinand told Beya when the latter said the Newcastle man was a better player than Neville.
Ferdinand spoke of how the game has changed, wingers are getting double-marked, and the full-back has more impetus to go forward.
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“When you’re comparing players, Gary Neville going forward wasn’t having the impact and numbers that someone like Trip is, but the game is allowing that now.”
Then, when Beya said Trippier was better defensively than Neville, Ferdinand wasn’t having any of it.
“Get yourself out of here right now… anyone got any water? Go get some water for this guy,” joked the Manchester United icon.
“I never ever ever once worried where Gary Neville was. If the ball’s over there, the biggest problem I’ve got is what’s going to be over my shoulder.
“I had the most comfortable moments in my career… because I had Gary Neville.”
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Obviously this is the sort of debate that can go on forever because there’s no real way to settle it, when you’re comparing a retired player with one who’s still professionally active.
However, when you’ve got a player who counts one of the stars up for debate as one of his former teammates with whom he has lifted many trophies, it does add weight to the argument.
And anyway, not like it matters in the grand scheme of things. Trippier is currently shining for Newcastle and is no doubt on the way to becoming a club legend for his efforts for the St James’ Park outfit.