BBC Sport pundit Danny Mills has urged Tottenham Hotspur to stick with Kieran Trippier next season despite the defender’s poor showing during the current campaign. The England international had a fantastic 2017/2018 season with the north London side and he continued the form into the World Cup where he was one of the standout performers in the Three Lions’ run to the semi-final.

However, he has since struggled to replicate the same level of performance for club and country and his form had been treacherous in the current season where he has been guilty of making numerous defensive mistakes. Speaking to Football Insider, Mills acknowledged that Trippier has dropped his performances levels since the World Cup but warned Spurs against cashing in on his services this summer.

He said: “Tottenham have to be very careful about selling him. He has had a drop in standards after the World Cup, but he is undoubtedly a very good player. Spurs should not let one of their best players go. Trippier has not had a disastrous season and I would definitely not sell him and pull the plug. Sure, he’s not been as good as he was last season, when he was exceptional. But you can’t say to him, ‘we are going to get rid of you’. You keep him and work with him. I’m very confident he will be better next season.”

Trippier has been the regular choice for Spurs for the right-back position during the backend of the campaign but that has largely come about from Serge Aurier suffering a season-ending injury. With the summer transfer window reopen, there are suggestions that the north London club are already searching for reinforcements for the position and reports indicate that Trippier could find himself heading through the exit door with Napoli keen on recruiting him.

The former Burnley man is expected for feature for Mauricio Pochettino’s side this weekend where they take on Liverpool in the Champions League final. The Capital outfit will be aiming to end their trophy drought which has extended for more than a decade.