Personal Information
Full Name | Nathaniel Edwin Clyne |
Date of Birth | April 5, 1991 |
Nationality | English, British |
Role | Right-back |
Past Team(s) |
Nathaniel Clyne: A Brief Biography
Nathaniel Edwin Clyne is an English right back of Grenadian descent who plays for Liverpool FC. He proved to be a reliable and consistent presence in the erratic Liverpool defence in the 2016-17 season. He is considered as one for the future for England national football team.
Background
Clyne was born on 5 April 1991 in Stockwell, a district near London. He joined the youth academy of Crystal Palace at a young age where he excelled.
Debut
Having featured for the national team at the under 19 and under 21 level, Clyne put a string of impressive performances at Southampton to earn a senior team debut against Slovenia in 2014. He played the entire match at the home of English football - Wembley, and the Three Lions comfortably won 3-1.
Rise to glory
Clyne had become a regular starter for the national team before his freak injury that wiped out entire 2017 from his footballing calendar. Ever since his national team debut, he has played 14 matches.
He was in the squad for the 2016 Euros but played only one match against Slovakia where England collected a drab draw. He last feature for the Three Lions back in 2016 in a 2-2 thriller friendly against Spain.
Just having recovered from the injury, Clyne has fallen way back in the pecking order with the likes of Kyle Walker, Trippier and club mate Joe Gomez doing well in the club level.
Club career
Clyne was highly impressive at Crystal Palace where he made the right back position his own. Fans were accustomed to see him sprint down the flanks and drill in stinging crosses. He made well over 100 appearances for the club before the newly promoted Southampton spotted the young talent and bought him for €3.2million in 2012.
He became one of the most consistent performer for the Saints and he formed a solid defensive partnership with Jose Fonte and Dejan Lovren. After the infamous Liverpool raid on Southampton in 2014, he became a pillar at the back and smart in going forward. However, increasing market value made a move to a top club inevitable.
Unsurprisingly, it was Liverpool again that took away a fine player from Southampton at €17.7million in 2015. For the Reds, he was the first choice at right back under both Brendan Rodgers and later Jurgen Klopp. He missed only one league match in 2016-17 season, which shows Klopp’s faith in him.
However, the tables turned completely and as of April, Clyne has made just two appearances for Liverpool in entire 2017-18 season. A back injury in the pre season had ruled him out till February and Klopp rested him till April to regain full match fitness.