So Liverpool have announced Nathaniel Clyne as their sixth signing of the summer. The right-back will join on a long-term deal and team up with former Southampton teammates Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana. We asked Holly Hunt, a member of our fellow Fresh Press Southampton site ‘Read Southampton’ to give us her view of the transfer and to provide Liverpool fans an idea of what to expect from the England international.
First of all, how does it feel to have another Southampton player taken by Liverpool?
It would have hurt no matter what team he departed for taking into consideration the potential for his age and the season he’s had but don’t take any offense when I say that along with many other Saints fans, I can take comfort in knowing that the grass isn’t always greener at Anfield! By that I mean when you look at how Lambert, Lallana, and Lovren have fared, they may live to regret their decisions because it hasn’t quite been the campaign they expected with the two clubs heading in the directions nobody could have called in pre-season.
If Clyne follows suit (which I wouldn’t like to see as he does represent my country too and it would be nice to restore some former glory) then it will be a good bit of business for us. But in summary, we’ll take it as a compliment that Liverpool wish to replicate us. The Jungle Book classic ‘I want to be like you’ springs to mind.
We overpaid for some signings last year (Lovren £20m), have we done the same for Clyne?
For me, Liverpool could make the hole burnt in their wallet to bring the right-back to Merseyside twice the size it is now so we can have a nice little spending spree! However, in terms of value for money, if he picks up where he left off at St Mary’s then you’ve got a nice little edition for the price Brendan Rodgers has paid. I couldn’t have seen us settling for any less than the rumoured £12.5million and he should (emphasis on should) only get better. Particularly with him being home-grown talent, it’s nice to have him in your side. He offers more than your bog standard defender who would be classed as ‘solid’ due to how he carries out his defensive duties, but his qualities would end there, there’s a spark going forward also.
You can’t call these situations like that of Lovren’s though, you just need to hope whatever got him down doesn’t catch up with Clyne. We know that Lallana was often plagued with injury but fitness hasn’t seemingly been an issue for your next imminent signing. Clyne isn’t an avid Red enthusiast though so unlike Rickie Lambert I don’t think his emotions will get in the way. Every player has their price but you’re right, £20million for Lovren was a hefty sum.
What are Clyne’s best attributes?
Inevitably his defensive abilities are what have put him on the radar of some renowned top flight clubs like yourselves but you don’t fork out multi-millions for that because they are scattered everywhere. Rather his pace that allows him to bolster attacking options are what caught the eye of your gaffer I’d assume. That right foot of his hasn’t only intercepted, tackled, and completed clearances on the flanks but carried the ball down the wing and whipping one in at the other end of the pitch. One things for sure, he’ll offer you more than Glen Johnson!
He’s shorter than me at 5”9 so he might not be much competition in the air but this stocky build means that he’s got some strength in him and therefore tough to rob of possession. It’s also worth noting that Clyne doesn’t get heated up when it comes to spats on the field, he makes the headlines with his talent rather than his tongue.
Do you think he has the potential to become one of the best defenders to have played for Liverpool?
Perhaps one of the best full-backs but to say ‘one of the best defenders’ might be getting a bit ahead of yourselves. I can’t see him rivalling the likes of Hyppia or Hansen as a defender and he’s not going dislodge Jamie Carragher as a fans favourite but there’s a gap in the market at your club for him to make his name. If he’s anything like he has been on the South Coast then going into the modern era it’s ideal for him to be judged by his ability to act as a winger as 21st Century standards expect in football. Yours is a club with a lot of history so he’s got some big boots to fill. I wouldn’t go telling him that though because you don’t want the pressure to be too much, too soon!
