Following Liverpool’s announcement of the signing of Nathaniel Clyne on Wednesday, get to know the former Southampton right-back with five key statistics.
Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne made the move to Liverpool on Wednesday, with the club announcing his signing on a “long-term contract.”
Clyne’s transfer, believed to be worth £12.5 million, sees Reds manager Brendan Rodgers shore up a depleted position in his squad following the departure of Glen Johnson this summer.
But what do we know about the 24-year-old?
Here are five key statistics for Liverpool’s new right-back.
3,147 – Premier League minutes played in 2014/15
Clyne missed just three minutes of the 35 league appearances he made last season, making the right-back spot his own under Saints manager Ronald Koeman following Calum Chambers’ move to Arsenal.
Only three right-backs played more minutes last season: Chelsea‘s Branislav Ivanovic (3,420), Burnley‘s Kieran Trippier (3,416) and Hull City‘s Ahmed Elmohamady (3,330).
3.3 – Tackles made per 90 Premier League minutes in 2014/15
Liverpool won’t be lacking steel on the right defensive flank this season, as Clyne’s average of 3.3 tackles made per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season highlights his status as an uncompromising, tough-tackling defender.
Only two regular right-backs averaged more tackles per 90 minutes in the Premier League in 2014/15: Sunderland‘s Billy Jones (3.4) and Manchester City‘s Pablo Zabaleta (3.7).
4 – Yellow cards shown in the Premier League in 2014/15
Clyne is a highly disciplined defensive player, as evidenced by his four yellow cards shown last season—particularly low for a player who made 35 appearances.
In comparison, Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel was given eight yellow cards in 33 games in 2014/15.
Furthermore, Clyne averaged just 0.5 fouls conceded per 90 minutes at right-back last term, with only Trippier (0.4) and Stoke City‘s Geoff Cameron (0.4) making less.
0.6 – Shots on goal per 90 Premier League minutes in 2014/15
As well as being a strong defensive player, Clyne is also a hardworking attacking outlet on the right-hand side.
He proved this with a goal in Southampton‘s 2-1 opening-day defeat to Liverpool last season.
Clyne’s average of 0.6 shots on goal per 90 minutes in the league is less than just three other right-backs: Ivanovic (1.2), Newcastle United’s Daryl Janmaat (one) and Stoke City‘s Phil Bardsley (one).
0.5 – Times dispossessed per 90 Premier League minutes in 2014/15
Despite his swashbuckling attacking style, Clyne rarely gives away the ball, being dispossessed just 0.5 times on average per 90 last season, more than just five other regular right-backs.
This is despite his having made the third-most passes of any Premier League right-back last season, with 1,468.
Welcome to Liverpool, Nathaniel.
[interaction id=”558a64e69903ebaf49344e9e”]
Statistics via WhoScored.
Fan Comments