Has Nathaniel Clyne been a successful signing?

Liverpool have let Nathaniel Clyne leave on a free.

The English game was at the feet of Nathaniel Clyne when he arrived at Anfield in 2015.

But, as as his five year spell on Merseyside comes to its finale, can the fullback be classed as a successful signing and how should he be remembered?

Before joining the Reds, Clyne began his career in South London with Crystal Palace – but never featured for the club in the top flight.

He spent four years with the Eagles, and departed for newly promoted Southampton in 2012 after winning the Club’s Player of the Year award.

Three seasons on the South Coast followed, with Clyne beginning to break into the England set-up. Liverpool came calling less than a year later.

His arrival correlated with the departure of Glen Johnson, who had disappointed in his final season before joining Stoke City.

"A BBC journalist reported that he said: “I’m delighted and it’s a dream move for me to come here and play for such a big club with all of its history. I can’t wait to get started.“As soon as Liverpool showed their interest in me, I was happy and just wanted the deal to go through."

He was Brendan Rodgers’ sixth signing in what would turn out to be his final season at Liverpool – featuring a certain James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Joe Gomez.

Rodgers was dismissed in the following October though, seeing the arrival of Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside – but this was no discouragement to Clyne initially.

He remained a regular in the starting eleven, and even scored in the German’s first win as manager – a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield in the League Cup.

That season he would also notch in the 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa in 2015/16, and in all would make 52 appearances.

He would remain first choice for Liverpool’s first full season under Klopp, in which the Reds finished in fourth. A certain Trent Alexander-Arnold would make his debut against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup though.

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Trent’s emergence almost signalled the end for Clyne as the 2017/18 season began, as much as his debilitating back injury.

Since he has only registered seven league appearances in the previous three seasons, with none so far this term, which has led to the club announcing his release earlier this month.

His departure raises two questions. What next for him? And how do Liverpool replace him?

The latter is simple – we have the ready made replacement. Neco Williams.

The Welshman has put in some stellar performances for both the Under 23’s and the first team this season, and notably made his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace last week.

And with Clyne being out injured for essentially two years, his certainly isn’t a hole begging to be filled.

For the man himself – where is the ideal destination?

He spent six months on loan at Bournemouth in 2019 and had moderate success, with Eddie Howe playing the high energy style that suits Clyne – this would be likely the sort of level that the 29 year-old would be looking for.

Crystal Palace and West Ham are also potential suitors, but it remains to be seen what club gambles on a man shattered by injuries in the recent past.

Has Clyne been a successful signing? He played a massive part in the Reds’ return to the Champions League, and has never had any qualms on attitude and dedication to the full-back craft.

His luck with injuries has been unjust and unfortunate, but it would be just as unjust to call him a failure.

Thank you Nathaniel, and good luck.