Kieran Trippier had already heard the stat that he is the third most creative player at this World Cup, after Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne.
“Not bad for a Bury lad,” he smiled.Not bad for a Manchester City reject, he might add. Not bad for a former Championship player at Burnley who spent two years as a Tottenham understudy.
Trippier seems a perfect example of the ‘humility’ which boss Gareth Southgate values so greatly in this England squad. After laying on 12 chances in three appearances in Russia, Trippier will face Sweden in tomorrow’s quarter-final knowing he has grafted hard to become an ‘overnight sensation’.
He has been described as England’s best crosser since David Beckham, yet he has never met Goldenballs. And his true inspiration was former Oldham full-back Kelvin Lomax, Trippier’s elder brother who decided to use his mother’s surname.
He said: “I’ve never met Beckham but I’d love to. “I’m a massive fan of him. Hopefully we can cross paths and chat.
“Beckham was the one I always looked up to — the technique, his crossing on the move or set-pieces.
“But as a kid I just played with my brother. He was playing for Oldham, in League One and League Two, and he’s the one I really looked up to. “I used to watch his training sessions and matches at Oldham. “I just looked up to my brother because he was a professional. He was the one I wanted to follow.“Unfortunately he is not playing now but he’s helped me a hell of a lot. He’s had a big impact on my career.
“He had a few injuries and never really got back to where he wanted to. “Since he gave up, he’s supported me and travelled to watch no matter where I am.”
Trippier’s trademark whipped crosses are the product of hours on the training ground, most significantly with his former City youth coach Steve Eyre. The wing-back, who is heading for the Fifa World Cup Team of the Tournament, said: “In the City reserves I used to play on the right wing. My delivery is something I always worked on.
“Me and Steve Eyre stayed behind for ages after more or less every session. It’s all down to practice. “Steve is still a close friend and the one coach I will always speak to.”
Trippier does not take direct free-kicks for Spurs given the artistry of Christian Eriksen but is the best dead-ball merchant in this England team. And, at the age of 27, he is still pinching himself at becoming a global star.
Trippier said: “All of us have our own journeys. I was let go by City but I always believed I could play at the top level. It has taken longer than expected and I have had to be patient.
“At Tottenham it took two years to break in but I knew my opportunity would come. “This England formation is perfect for me — I can get forward and try to get crosses in. “I’ve always wanted to be in this position where I play for my country at a World Cup. “It has been a good tournament so far, we just don’t want to go home.”
Back in Bury, Trippier’s parents’ house has become a focal point for the community on the estate where he grew up. His dad Chris flies the flag of St George on a massive pole in the back garden of his modest semi-detached house.
And Trippier said: “My parents couldn’t make it out for the Colombia game but they were all in the garden watching it. “I’ve seen the videos of them going crazy when Eric Dier scored the winning penalty. “They’re delighted and very proud and can’t wait to get out here for the Sweden game. The neighbours have actually come round during our matches — quite a lot of them! Some were watching over the hedges.
“My dad was surprised people were walking past on the estate and watching the match, then just walking off. “Maybe they’ll keep the telly on for people to watch the Sweden match even though they won’t be there!”
Trippier, who netted a spot-kick in the penalty shootout win over Colombia, says England’s players are well aware of the World Cup fever gripping the nation back home.
He added: “We see it on social media and it’s crazy. Harry Kane’s goal against Tunisia, last minute, you see people throwing pints everywhere in pubs. “It means a lot for us to see how happy they are.
“I was seeing fans watching the penalties. For so long we didn’t win a shootout and the joy of our fans at home was incredible.
“It’s a young team writing our own history.
“It’s another big game, Sweden. We just want to do well and create more scenes back home.”