World Cup

Kieran Trippier plays down David Beckham set-piece comparisons

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 30 June 2018

England wing-back Kieran Trippier plays down comparisons to David Beckham, insisting that he has 'nowhere near' the same quality when it comes to crossing.

Kieran Trippier has admitted that he is flattered by comparisons to England icon David Beckham, but he does not believe that he has achieved enough to be talked about in the same company.

The Tottenham Hotspur wing-back has played a crucial part in the Three Lions' run to the last 16 of the World Cup with his set-piece deliveries.

Trippier helped create goals in England's group-game wins over Tunisia and Panama, earning him the moniker "the Bury Beckham" because of the consistency of his service from out wide.

Asked about the similarities in their deliveries from the right, though, Trippier told BBC Sport: "Loads of people are saying this but I don't think I'm anywhere near David Beckham's qualities.

"He was a fantastic deliverer of the ball – set-pieces, dead balls. He scored so many free kicks and created so much throughout his career. All I can do is keep doing the best I can and any opportunity I get I'll try and put balls in like David Beckham.

"He was a fantastic player, I can't speak highly enough about what he's done – captained England, the caps he had and winning trophies all around Europe."

Trippier has recovered from a thigh problem and is expected to start England's first knockout-round clash against Colombia next Tuesday.