If Newcastle United are going to get a result against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night, they need to stop Kylian Mbappe.
He is the player who everyone will be looking at. Champions League football meant the biggest names coming to St James’ Park, and there are arguably none bigger than Kylian Mbappe right now.
The World Cup winner is the best player on the planet, and someone who Newcastle will be fearing on Wednesday night.
While the atmosphere is going to be incredible and will hopefully give the Magpies a boost, it is not going to faze Mbappe. He has played in big occasions before and rose to them.
Eddie Howe will be desperately figuring out how he is going to stop the 24-year-old, and Shay Given believes that Newcastle will be relying heavily on Kieran Trippier.
Shay Given says Kieran Trippier has a big job to do against PSG
Ahead of the Champions League clash between Newcastle and PSG, Given spoke to TNT Sports. He addressed Kieran Trippier, and how it will be his job to stop Mbappe on Wednesday night.
“Kieran Trippier had a great time at Atletico and played in some big Champions League games there,” he said.
“You can’t speak highly enough of his performances since he came to the club and he’s started the season really well.
“Against Milan with [Rafael] Leao, he was their star man and biggest threat. He had his moments but there were times in the game where Trippier was really close and tight to him. He wouldn’t let him turn.
“If Leao or Mbappe get you into a one-on-one situation, it can be very difficult for any defender to stop them. It’s important that Trippier does a similar sort of job on Mbappe.”
Newcastle need Trippier to stop Mbappe on Wednesday night
Newcastle need Trippier to stop Mbappe. It is as simple as that.
But while saying it is easy, the reality is very difficult. Just how on earth do you stop someone so quick and agile in and out of possession?
It has been done before. Kyle Walker shut Mbappe down in the World Cup last year, but Trippier does not have the same kind of pace.
The £12million man will need to lean on all of his experience, just like he did against Rafael Leao in the 0-0 draw with AC Milan. The Portugal international was incredibly lively that night, but was suppressed by the talents of Trippier.
The 33-year-old will need to perform even better on Wednesday night, as he is the man set to be tasked with keeping Mbappe quiet. If Trippier can do that, he will become even more of a legend in the eyes of Newcastle fans.
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