Bournemouth have done well by bringing in Nathaniel Clyne on loan
Daily Mail had reported that Bournemouth and Cardiff City were going head-to-head for Liverpool outcast Nathaniel Clyne and it’s no surprise why. However, in what will come as great news for Bournemouth fans, Eddie Howe has succeeded in beating Cardiff to sign Clyne on loan (h/t BBC).
The Cherries were without a bonafide right-back, with both Adam Smith and Simon Francis out for a long time. While the 33-year-old has been ruled out for anywhere between six to nine months with a knee ligament injury, Smith will be out till the end of February.
Junior Stanislas impressed in the lone game he played as a makeshift right back against Watford but manager Eddie Howe needs replacements. Clyne’s athleticism combined with his defensive abilities make him perfect for Howe’s tactics, but his injury record could prove to be problematic for the Cherries.
However, given Bournemouth’s lack of right-backs, the Cherries needed to make sure they make the move first for the 27-year-old. While he has had his injury issues, the Englishman’s ability to play Premier League football is still there, and that combined with his athleticism as mentioned before will make him a key player.
Furthermore, his future at Liverpool looked rather bleak. Jurgen Klopp already has Trent Alexander-Arnold as his first choice. The likes of Joe Gomez and James Milner can play as a back-up if required. As a result, Nathaniel Clyne was clearly surplus to requirement and Klopp’s decision to let him leave is truly justifiable.
For Bournemouth, they should consider making a permanent move for the 27-year-old in the near future. After all, Simon Francis is 33 and isn’t getting any younger. They need back-up and an experienced right-back like Nathaniel Clyne is exactly the kind of player who could lead them to greater glory.
Not only that, his drop from the first team combined with his lack of appearances will have surely cut down his market value. Hence, depending on how well he performs while on loan, Bournemouth should not let this opportunity go by easily.
