Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier has struggled with one-v-one defending so far this season.
Eddie Howe has a lot to think about during this international break.
Newcastle United were beaten 3-1 at Brentford on Sunday, and the Magpies head into the break with major concerns.
Premier League results simply haven’t been good enough, and Howe must look into ways to produce consistent results.
Aaron Ramsdale or Nick Pope is a big talking point, and Howe will also face a decision on Kieran Trippier.
Kieran Trippier gives a thumbs up during Newcastle United vs Spurs.
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Kieran Trippier ranks bottom in one Premier League statistic
Trippier has played an important role this season, making 15 appearances across all competitions.
A new contract may even be in the pipeline for Trippier, amid continued interest from Monaco.
The 35-year-old may not be the attacking threat he once was, but he remains an important, experienced head in the Newcastle squad.
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Trippier still possesses quality on the ball, but his defensive ability has been brought into question.
Opta’s Matt Furniss has told the official Premier League website that Trippier has the lowest success rate in the Premier League when it comes to stopping players dribbling against him.
The stats show that, of all players to have faced at least 20 dribbles, Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix ranks top with 87% duel success rate.
Conversely, Trippier ranks rock bottom, having won only 32.3% of his duels against dribblers.
Trippier has been dribbled past on 11 occasions, and he has committed a foul 10 times when directly facing a player dribbling against him.
A drop-off was perhaps to be expected with Trippier now 35, but these statistics will be a concern for Eddie Howe.
Tino Livramento could come back in for Kieran Trippier against Manchester City
After reading those statistics, the last matchup Newcastle fans will want to see is Trippier against Jeremy Doku.
Doku has completed the most dribbles in the Premier League this season with 34, averaging more than three per game.
The Belgian winger ripped Liverpool apart on Sunday and appears to have taken his game to a new level this season.
Doku will be licking his lips against Trippier, and Howe must weigh up whether to bring Tino Livramento back in.
Livramento is expected to return from injury against City, and he can slot straight in at right-back.
Howe may be reluctant to throw Livramento in after six weeks on the sidelines, but it’s a change he must at least consider.