Eddie Howe breaks his silence on Kieran Trippier's Newcastle future and defends his decision to change the team captaincy, with England star open to leaving the club
- Eddie Howe has broken his silence on Kieran Trippier's future at Newcastle
- Previous reports stated that Trippier wants to leave the Magpies this summer
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Eddie Howe says he cannot guarantee Kieran Trippier will stay at Newcastle, as he defended his decision to make Bruno Guimaraes the team’s new captain.
Trippier is open to a move away from Tyneside - even though Howe says he is ‘surprised’ by reports suggesting as much - and there is interest from Everton, Atalanta and Galatasaray.
The England star, 33, was told last week that he would no longer be captaining the side in the absence of Jamaal Lascelles, and that Guimaraes had been promoted to the role of skipper.
Trippier is said to be disappointed by the timing of learning the news, but we understand his desire to leave is motivated by other factors.
Howe, though, is determined to keep the defender at the club, as he said: ‘I can never answer these questions with absolute certainty because it's football and the transfer window is always unpredictable. But my wish is that he stays here and continues to play for us.
Eddie Howe has broken his silence on Kieran Trippier's potential departure from St James' Park
Trippier is open to a move away from Tyneside - even though Howe says he is ‘surprised’
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‘The situation is business as usual. Tripps has trained really well this week. I'm surprised at a lot of the stories that have come out. His professionalism has been first class.
'He continues to be really valued by all of us. His leadership skills, ability with the ball, his assist record, everything he brings to the group, is everything we want here.’
Mail Sport revealed this week that Guimaraes would be wearing the armband out on a permanent basis, news confirmed by Howe on Friday.
The head coach was then asked about the impact that could have on Trippier.
‘Every decision you make you have to think about it,’ he said.
‘I’m probably making hundreds of decisions a week. I think on the captaincy, it was about empowering Bruno, and everyone else’s role remains exactly the same.
‘It's not that big a deal internally. Jamaal is not going to be fit for a long period of time, so he's been promoted to club captain and he's going to oversee the captain. He is an incredible leader behind the scenes.
Howe said he is not sure where the news about Trippier's Newcastle exit are coming from
The development comes after the decision to make Bruno Guimaraes Newcastle's new captain
Trippier has received offers from West Ham and Everton, along with Atalanta and Galatasaray
'Kieran and Dan (Burn) in the leadership group continue to lead, and Bruno has been promoted. It's a healthy group, there's more people in it. we need 11 leaders on the pitch, regardless of who wears the armband.’
Meanwhile, Howe says he has no update on the £65million pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
‘No news,’ he said. ‘I’m a step removed from it, so it's always difficult for me to give you definitive answers, but I'm aware there's still work going on behind the scenes. I'm not getting regular updates, so what will be will be.’
