‘Biggest mistake ever’: Micah Richards says Manchester City sold ‘incredible’ player too early

BBC Sports pundit Micah Richards has said that Manchester City made a huge mistake by letting Kieran Trippier go for good when he was just 21 years of age.

Trippier came through the Manchester City academy system, but the right-back could not establish himself in the first team.

After loan spells at Barnsley and Burnley, Trippier signed for the Clarets on a permanent basis in 2012.

The England international right-back went on to star for Tottenham Hotspur before winning the La Liga title with Atletico Madrid.

And despite being 33 years of age now, Trippier is starring for Newcastle United, both in the Premier League and in the UEFA Champions League.

Richards trained with Trippier at Manchester City, and he has noted what was said among the players about the full-back at the time.

The pundit said about Trippier on The Rest is Football podcast: “I remember in training he was up against Adebayor and you know Adebayor always used to go to the left side and then hold it up and do some skills and what not.

“And every time, Adebayor got the ball he absolutely destroyed Trippier in a one-on-one situation. The manager at the time, I think it was Mancini.

“But what everyone didn’t know was the part of his game which was the best was going forward. So they were exploiting his weaknesses but not seeing his strengths.

“When he was allowed to go to Burnley I remember all the lads saying, ‘This is the biggest mistake ever’.

“Send him out on loan for a couple of seasons and when he fills out a bit – he is only small now, you can imagine back then – the technique that he had, the timing of his runs, the passing, the commitment he showed. I was like he is going to be a top player.

“So he goes to Burnley, gets record assists in the Championship, then he goes to Spurs and does amazing at Spurs, then he goes to Atletico Madrid and wins the league over there, comes back and does what he does for England.

“I just think he’s the most underrated full-back because of the quality that we have with Walker and Trent and Reece James.

“But if you need someone who is going to be consistent this is the best football I think I have ever seen him play and he’s two years younger than me, he’s 33. It’s just incredible.”