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

premierleague.com

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.