‘I might get stick’ - Jordan Pickford could hold key to Newcastle United losing England star

Kieran Trippier could be set to reunite with his “best friend” in football - Newcastle United’s pantomime villain Jordan Pickford.

Toon fans famously mock the England No.1 whenever they face Everton due to his Sunderland allegiance. Pickford is a boyhood Mackem, playing just 35 times for the Black Cats before joining the Toffees in 2017.

He has since gone on to establish himself as England’s undisputed first-choice - earning 68 caps and competing at four major tournaments. Likewise, Toon veteran Trippier’s time with the Three Lions has run parallel to Pickford’s.

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Reports have linked the 33-year-old with a move to Everton amid uncertainty over his first-team future. Tino Livramento started the season opener against Southampton and The Athletic claim the Blues are open to a loan deal.

Trippier admitted in 2018 that he would “love” to play under Sean Dyche again, the manager who turned him into a Premier League star at Burnley. But the Newcastle right-back can also confide in one of his closest allies.

“Jordan Pickford or Kyle Walker,” he said when asked about his best friend in football earlier this year. “Even though he (Pickford) is from Sunderland. I might get a bit of stick for that.”

Eddie Howe was “surprised” by the reports linking Trippier with a move when grilled by the media today. He said: "The situation is business as usual, Tripps has trained really well this week. I'm surprised by a lot of the stories that have come out. (He's) a valuable member of the squad. 

“His professionalism has been first class. He's trained really well since he came back from the Euros - I think he's only had two weeks of training, hence the reason why he didn't start last week.

"I'm not really sure where this has come from. He's preparing as we all are for the game on Saturday. His leadership skills, his ability with the ball, his assist record, everything he brings to the group we definitely want here."