Kieran Trippier relishing stepping into the limelight for Tottenham after breakout World Cup

When Kieran Trippier struck a free kick past Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic to give England the lead in the World Cup semi-final back on July 11, he made it look as if he had been doing it all his life. In fact, it was his only goal of last season, which is hardly surprising given that Trippier plays in the same Tottenham team as an acknowledged free kick specialist in Christian Eriksen.

But an equally sweetly-struck effort against Fulham at Wembley on Saturday suggests that Trippier’s dead-ball skills have developed beyond his cunningly-curled corner-kicks to direct threats on goal. Or perhaps the development is in his self-belief. The 27-year-old, bought from Burnley in 2015, was one of England’s unqualified World Cup successes and, you sense, is only now beginning to realise how good he is.

“It’s crazy what a year can do because I only made my debut for England last year and a year later I am playing in a World Cup,” he said. “I learnt a lot about myself, it gave me a lot of confidence and I am happy to come back with more experience. Hopefully I can put that to good use.”

Trippier began his Tottenham career as understudy to Kyle Walker, and his manager, Mauricio Pochettino, praised him for the way he has grasped the opportunity provided by Walker’s move to Manchester City last summer.

“We were trying to challenge Kyle Walker, with his effort and helping them to grow up and improve,” Pochettino said. “The credit should go to Kieran because he made the effort to step up in his career. We worked on finding his best delivery from corner-kicks, particularly on those out-swingers which are better for him. He was the best of the team for set-pieces for England. With practice, [players] improve.”

Although most would now consider that Trippier has improved enough to be one of the first names on both Spurs and England team sheets, he is at pains to point out that he still feels that he needs “to keep working hard to try to impress and get the nod” And he will still not be grabbing the ball from Eriksen when referees signal a free kick. .

“In the time I have been here it has been Christian who has taken them and everybody knows how good he is at dead-ball set-pieces,” he said. “I am happy I managed to get one in Russia and another here. But whoever feels confident in the moment can take it. If Christian wants to take them, no problem.

“I just want to keep on working hard and progressing as a footballer because I am keen to get more of those moments like I had at the World Cup. I am eager and hungry to get more and hopefully there will be more to come.”