Kieran Trippier admits he used to love a post-training barbeque with Antoine Griezmann but the England full-back is desperate to leave his former team-mate feeling cooked when the Three Lions face France in their quarter-final.
Trippier left Tottenham for LaLiga in the summer of 2019, going on to win the 2020-21 Spanish title with Diego Simeone’s side and hooked up with Griezmann when the former Atletico favourite returned on loan from Barcelona at the start of last season.
The Englishman, 32, moved to Newcastle six months later but has fond memories of the man who will spearhead the French midfield in tomorrow’s last-eight clash. Trippier hailed the playmaker as ‘the joker of the dressing room, always doing pranks’ and someone he immediately hit it off with.
‘A great guy,’ said the 32-year-old, who could start for England against Griezmann’s world champions tomorrow.
‘We got on really well. His English is good and he really helped me when I was there.
‘As a player abroad you find it hard at times and Griezy certainly helped me. So I have huge respect for him but I hope Saturday is a good day for us.’ Trippier painted a picture of bliss at Atletico’s La Finca complex, where he was based when he played in Spain.
He adds: ‘We all lived in the same area. It was brilliant, to be honest, as we would finish training at 11.30am, the sun is shining and you are having barbeques. What more can you ask for?
‘We would go round each other’s houses as it was literally ten seconds away. It was a brilliant time.’
The Newcastle right-back was able to offer some good news on key midfielder Declan Rice, who has started all four of England’s matches in Qatar so far but missed training on Wednesday as he was unwell.
England trained behind closed doors yesterday and Tripper said: ‘Dec was involved today. He didn’t train yesterday but he was in high spirits as he always is and he trained well today.’
Another boost for the players, or fans of Robbie Williams’ music anyway, was a surprise appearance from the singer at their Al Wakrah hotel on Wednesday.
Williams belted out two songs, including smash hit Angels, and Trippier was impressed.
‘In these little moments, everyone’s buzzing around the place,’ he admitted.
‘It was a great moment for everyone going into a big game.’
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