World Cup 2018: One Underrated Player from Each Semi-Finalist

England - Kieran Trippier

Kieran Trippier

England have reached their first semi-finals since 1990 and most of the credit has gone to Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Harry Maguire. Yet Kieran Trippier has arguably been more vital to England’s run than all of those players.

The Tottenham wing-back has been excellent offensively, being England’s primary creative outlet throughout the tournament. Trippier has averaged 3.3 key passes (passes that create chances) per game, which is 2nd among players remaining in the tournament (only Kevin De Bruyne has more). Yes, Trippier has created more chances than Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, Eden Hazard, Kane, Jesse Lingard and Raheem Sterling.

Many of these created chances have been set-pieces- Trippier’s excellent deliveries have been a big reason why the Three Lions have been so dangerous on set-pieces. Yet, Trippier’s offensive contributions have been so much more than that. He has averaged 1.3 successful dribbles per game- 4th in the tournament right now (86.7% success rate). The wing-back has also averaged 2.8 successful cross per game, 2nd in the tournament among players remaining.

Trippier has also been excellent defensively especially against Sweden when he shut down the Scandinavians’ best player Emil Forsberg. He has averaged the most tackles (3 per game) among players in the semi-finalists. Perhaps most remarkably, the 5’8 Tripper has won 73.7% of his aerial battles.

So Trippier has created the 2nd most chances, 4th most successful dribbles, 2nd among successful crosses per game while averaging the most tackles among players still in the tournament. Not bad.