Why Crystal Palace should offer a contract to Nathaniel Clyne
Former Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne could be on his way to Crystal Palace, as per Evening Standard.
The England international was released by the Premier League champions at the end of the last season and is currently training with Palace. And, manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that the full-back can earn a contract with the Eagles. (h/t Evening Standard)
Profile
Nathaniel Clyne is a 29-year-old English defender, who is a free agent after Liverpool released him in July. It is interesting that he started his youth career at Crystal Palace itself back in 1999. He progressed through the youth teams and was promoted to the senior squad in 2008.
Four seasons and 132 appearances followed with a goal and 7 assists. Southampton came for his services in 2012 and Clyne made the switch to the Saints. He went on to make over 100 appearances and scored 5 goals and provided 8 assists for the club. (h/t Transfermarkt).
Much like some of his Southampton colleagues Clyne made the move to Liverpool in 2015. Clyne was first-choice in his first two seasons at the club. But from 2017, the emergence of a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold meant that Clyne had to look for chances elsewhere.
He moved to Bournemouth in 2018 but failed to get much game time. After his return in 2019, he suffered an injury that ruled him out for the entirety of last season. His contract wasn’t renewed by Liverpool and now he has been training at Crystal Palace to keep in shape. (h/t Evening Standard)
The fullback also has 14 appearances for England.
Would Clyne be a useful signing?
Crystal Palace have few players who can slot in at righ- back if we include the new addition of Nathan Ferguson from West Brom. Martin Kelly and Joel Ward have shared the duties of the right flank till date.
Clyne comes with a lot of Premier League experience and can prove to be useful throughout the season. He is a free agent, which means Palace have little to lose. Nathan Ferguson is still down with a long-term injury and Clyne can be trusted to occupy the right-back position till then.
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Verdict
Palace signing Clyne on a free transfer doesn’t look too bad on paper. He can provide some competition to the others which would keep everyone on their toes. It is a deal that has low risk and should benefit Palace in the short-term.
