Former English U21 Right-Back Shining at St. Mary's

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The Crystal Palace academy graduate right-back Nathaniel Clyne, now playing for Southampton, has been on the radar of bigger clubs recently. Will he move during the upcoming transfer window? Although it's been pure speculation, it has been rumored that Arsenal are among the frontrunners for the former English U-21 right-back's signature. Although he's normally been thought of as a more offensive minded right back, this season has proved his defensive abilities as well.

Nathaniel has played 12 Premier League matches this season at right-back for Southampton. During his first 5 matches this season, when on the pitch, Southampton did not concede until visiting Old Trafford in a 1:1 draw. Even more impressive, during his first 9 matches of the season, Southampton remained unbeaten. The remaining three games have seen different results though. The last two matches where Clyne featured resulted in losses for the St. Mary's club. The match Clyne last played in was against Villa, where he was subbed off in the 59th after an injury that has since kept him out of action. Before his injury and subsequent substitution, Clyne had assisted the lone Southampton goal that had seen the game level at 1. Southampton would gone on to lose 3:2 and since then have not won, drawing with Manchester City and Newcastle.

This is Clyne's second season with the club since leaving Crystal Palace where he played in more than 120 games for the club. Now, at 22, Clyne has established himself as a very talented right-back that not only likes to get forward and join the attack but performs his defensive duties just as well. He will have to knock Callum Chambers from the starting right-back position once he regains fitness, as the Southampton academy graduate has been sharp since filling in for Clyne.  

Importance of the Romanian Centerback

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9.5 million Euros is a lot of money. On the other hand, it's only about 10% of the transfer fee that Real Madrid paid Tottenham for Gareth Bale. When Chiriches was signed by Tottenham from Steaua Bukarest for that sum on August 30th, I'm sure I wasn't alone when I said "Who?!" Since then though, the Romanian national team centerback (22 caps) has more than impressed on the pitch. Unfortunately, the defender's time on the pitch has been limited to injuries, but this post will show his importance in the Europa League Group K winner's side in all competitions.

Before I even began any of this research, in the matches I watched, he stood out with his exceptional tackling ability, smart play, safe passing, and his presence overall. He does very well to keep possession and can start attacks as well. Once I took a look at his statistical impact on Tottenham, I realized he may have more importance in the side than previously thought. Here is what I found:

Chiriches has played 6 of the 14 Premier League matches this season since signing for Tottenham for 9.5 million from Bukarest. In those 6 matches, Tottenham won 3 of them, drawing 2 (United at home, Everton at Goodison Park), and losing 1 (Newcastle at home). During his time on the pitch, Tottenham had conceded only 4 goals. In the 8 matches he hadn't played, Tottenham won 3, lost 4 (including 0:6 Man City at the Etihad, and 0:5 at home to Liverpool), and drew 1. In those 8 matches, Tottenham conceded 17 goals. The only time Tottenham have conceded more than once in a match with Chiriches on the pitch was against United. Without Chiriches though, Tottenham have had three matches where they've conceded more than twice in 90 minutes.

His impact in Europa League play may go unnoticed as Tottenham disposed rather easily of all opponents in group play. However, in the 3 of the 6 group stage matches that Chiriches played, Tottenham won, without conceding once. In the other 3 group stage matches, Tottenham still won all 3 but only kept one clean sheet.

In the 2 League Cup matches thus far, with Chiriches on the pitch, Tottenham have only conceded once.

I think it's fair to say; despite the relatively low transfer fee (compared to recent inflation in the transfer market) Chiriches is worth every cent. He has really impressed in each match so far and the statistics show his importance in the side.