Kieran Trippier: Five possible replacements for the Tottenham defender

Tottenham Hotspur right-back Kieran Trippier may have been involved in one of the most iconic moments of 2018 but he’s been frustrating fans ever since.

The 28-year-old may find Harry Kane in the penalty area regularly but defensively he’s put in some calamitous performances this season, as he did in the defeat to Manchester United.

Many of team-mate Moussa Sissoko’s fine displays of late have come as shores up midfield ahead of Trippier, shielding him from attacks.

It’s no coincidence United were so willing to exploit Spurs’ right flank and had success almost immediately after the Frenchman was forced off with injury.

It appears Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t trust Serge Aurier as much as he should, especially given the £23million spent on him, while the lack of time given to starlet Kyle Walker-Peters has left other fans baffled.

So, if not those two, then who could replace Trippier? talkSPORT.com assesses the options.

Ricardo Pereira (Leicester City)

Many Spurs fans wanted to see the Portugal ace in north London instead of Aurier but the club failed to land him as his previous club Porto played hardball over a deal.

A year later he’s signed for the Foxes and proving he would have been a fine acquisition for Pochettino.

He would now cost a lot more than the £22million they could have signed him for.

Pereira also has the ability to play as a right winger, as he has done this season, or as wing-back like he did with Nice.

Youcef Atal (Nice)

In his debut season with the club, Atal is proving incredibly impressive as a right wing-back.

He loves to dribble, which is certainly different to Trippier, who rarely beats a man, but his seven per 90 means he can lose the ball high up the pitch, while he’s also not afraid of shooting.

Atal would be a risk and may prove a little too raw right now but Spurs should keep tabs on the talent.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace)

The 21-year-old is excelling this campaign having broken into the first-team last term.

If the Eagles don’t improve their standing in the English top flight soon he could be cherry picked by an elite side and Tottenham would be foolish to miss out.

He’s defensively astute and gets forward well, whilst being astute with possession.

Unfortunately he comes from a family of Arsenal fans and idolised Thierry Henry.

Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina)

Able to play at both centre-back and right-back, the Serbian offers versatility for what seems like it would be a hefty fee.

Manchester United and Man City have been linked with moves for the player, who has spent much of the campaign as an imposing full-back.

He would solidify the Spurs defence but would probably result in a big decrease in attacking output.

Still just 21, Milenkovic has the potential to be coached up but whether he can add to his offensive game must be questioned.

Bouna Sarr (Marseille)

The 26-year-old was previously a right winger but is now settled as a right-back in Ligue 1.

Sarr has the defensive acumen required to, at the very least, come into Tottenham as a deputy, while his attacking abilities mark him out as a player who could do well in the Premier League.

Leicester City have been linked with the player, along with Napoli, so there would be the potential for Spurs to strike and sign him.