The Three Lions face France on Saturday in what is likely the match of the round, with a spot in the World Cup semifinals on the line.
Gareth Southgate’s selection at right-back could be his most crucial of the competition with crucial battles to be fought all over the field. Kieran Trippier continues to view Antoine Griezmann as a member of the “family.”
During their time at Atletico Madrid, they were close friends, neighbors, and teammates.
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Griezmann, a standout for France who has accrued 72 caps and hasn’t missed an international match in five and a half years, represents one of England’s biggest dangers in the World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday.
Trippier, an English defender who spent three years at Atletico, witnessed firsthand how talented Griezmann is—and not just on the field.
Despite barely spending six months together in the capital of Spain, their relationship has lasted far longer.
Trippier said: “It was like a big family. He helped me with the language and was really important to me. As well as being a great teammate on the pitch.
“In Madrid, we all lived in an area called La Finka. It’s like St George’s Park but bigger. It was brilliant to be fair as we would finish training at 11.30am, the sun is shining and you are having bbqs. What more can you ask for? Know what I mean.
“The good thing is that every player would host and that closeness came from the manager. We would go round each other’s houses as it was literally ten seconds away. It was brilliant.”
“As a player abroad you find it hard at times and Griezy certainly helped me. So I have huge respect for him. You speak on Instagram and wish each other well but I hope Saturday is a good day for us.”
Trippier’s primary project this week is undoubtedly a strategy to prevent Griezmann from thoroughly humiliating England.
“You see his talent throughout his career and when you play with him you see his individual talent,” Trippier said.
“He picks up spaces. He scores goals as well and I was lucky enough to play with him. He is one of those when, even in training, he is clever about where he picks up space.”
“He just drifts and is certainly a player to keep an eye on. He has the individual quality to find a pass, score a goal and arrive in the box. Griezy is a fantastic player, you know, and one we have to be aware of.”
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It would be risky to ignore Griezmann given the attention being paid to Kylian Mbappe in the lead-up to England’s match against France.
Mbappe has entered from the left, Ousmane Dembélé from the right, and Olivier Giroud has run through the attack as Griezmann has played close to them.
Although the four-man front line is intimidating, Trippier claims that England will be well-prepared, well-drilled, and possess quality and experience of their own.
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