Manchester United and Chelsea are now being spurred on to make a move for Saints’ Nathaniel Clyne after the defender was kept from the gaffer’s starting eleven as the club welcomed Hull City to St Mary’s just last Saturday. It seems all a little too convenient that the 24-year-old would then declare that he is ‘flattered by the interest from the big clubs.’
Subsequent to the right-back’s refusal of a contract extension that would keep him with Southampton until 2016, Clyne recognised his potential to earn a move to either of these Premier League giants. When speaking to The Telegraph, he said ‘it shows that I’m doing well and I’ve had a good season.’
It seems Ronald Koeman is dangling the carrot for his full-back by showing him he is unafraid to offer Maya Yoshida his place in the line-up should Clyne go the way so many others have, believing he is destined for greater things than the south-coast outfit. Although he cited a ‘rest’ being the reason for Clyne’s absence, he could struggle to regain his jersey after the backline were able to sustain a clean sheet without his presence.
It’s not surprising that our backline member is pining for a transfer to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge, with the two looking likely to be playing in Europe next season. Meanwhile, Southampton sit five points adrift of City who are fourth placed. He is taking a Sterling-style approach somewhat, divulging that “Champions League football is everyone’s dream and hopefully we can do it for Southampton.” He added, “I am an ambitious person and I want to play Champions League football. To win the title and the FA Cup, that is what I want.”
“It was a bit of a shock but there are a lot of players fighting for positions and when you are not in the team you just have to keep fighting to get back in. Right now I’m just focused on playing for Southampton. There are still lots of points to play for.”
Clyne’s tone when talking of a fresh deal with his current side suggested he was not ruling out an extended stay with the club, but it seems his future will remain uncertain until the summer.
