He’s lying: Gabriel Agbonlahor thinks Eddie Howe isn’t being honest about £12M Newcastle Ace
Newcastle United recently concluded their Premier League season with a 4-2 win against Brentford before heading to Australia for a post-season friendly.
The match against Tottenham Hotspur, which ended in a 1-1 draw and resulted in a penalty shootout victory for Newcastle, has sparked controversy. Notably, Alan Brazil criticized the timing of the friendly, calling it ‘absolute madness’ with Euro 2024 just around the corner.
One of the most significant concerns from the friendly match was the substitution of Kieran Trippier, who is anticipated to play a crucial role for England in the upcoming Euros.
Trippier started the game at right-back but was substituted in the 37th minute and later seen with an ice pack on his ankle, raising alarm bells among fans and pundits alike.
Newcastle United’s manager, Eddie Howe, attempted to calm the situation by stating that Trippier’s early exit was pre-planned. However, former footballer Gabriel Agbonlahor expressed doubts about Howe’s honesty.
During a talkSPORT segment, Agbonlahor, along with Alan Brazil, voiced their skepticism. Brazil questioned the plausibility of such an early substitution being part of the plan, and Agbonlahor outright accused Howe of not telling the truth, suggesting that Trippier had indeed suffered a minor injury.
The substitution and subsequent sighting of Trippier with an ice pack would likely have been concerning for England manager Gareth Southgate.
With limited options in the full-back position, Southgate is counting on Trippier’s fitness and experience for the Euros. Trippier had only recently recovered from a calf injury earlier in the month, making any potential injury scare even more alarming.
Eddie Howe is generally known for his straightforwardness in dealing with the press, which adds a layer of intrigue to Agbonlahor’s allegations. If Howe’s statement about the pre-planned substitution holds, it could indicate a strategic move to preserve Trippier’s fitness for more critical matches ahead.
On the other hand, if there is more to Trippier’s substitution than Howe is letting on, it raises questions about the management of player injuries and transparency with the media and fans.
As Newcastle United prepare for the next season and England gears up for Euro 2024, the health and readiness of key players like Kieran Trippier will be under close scrutiny.
Newcastle’s decision to participate in a friendly so close to a major tournament has been controversial, and the potential risks to player fitness cannot be ignored. The situation underscores the delicate balance managers must maintain between competitive readiness and player well-being.
The debate over Eddie Howe’s honesty regarding Kieran Trippier’s substitution highlights the broader issues of player management and transparency in football. As fans and pundits continue to discuss the implications, both Newcastle United and the England national team will need to navigate these challenges carefully to ensure success on the pitch.
