I'm a Trippier fan, hard not to like the guy - he's pulled himself up from £3.5m Burnely to full England Int and free kick taker, scoring in a WC semi no less. But if we're not going to play 3/5 much these days, then I can't see that he's good enough in a back 4 for all the reasons above - too small for the lob, too slow in 1-1. Great at forward passing, but we're too vulnerable. I'll check later for how many goals we've conceded this season compared to last, and also I'll try to work out how many down the right.
I don't like selling bods who have improved so much, but if we're going to play him out of his best position, then I'd prefer to cash in.
I think he’s also not so bad in a 433, which also provides (or should) better lateral cover.
We played a 4231 Saturday (once Dembele went off), with a young Cm who’s not great defensively and an AM who’s not great period. And still asked our FB to contribute to the attack. It’s not rocket science to figure that’s not tactically the best set up.