ENGLAND WATCH: Nathaniel Clyne and Frasier Forster
Hello! And welcome to the third installment of England Watch; a continued, season-long look at English players who should (or should not) be in the fold for the Three Lions.
Today’s feature will take a look at two players who are already on the England radar, in two areas of the England team that are now up for much questioning and debate. With the turmoil that has been Southampton’s summer, the light at the end of the tunnel that has been Ronald Koeman could well play a part in the hopeful progression into national team fold for both Nathaniel Clyne and Frasier Forster.
With so many questions that can, should and will be asked over the coming weeks, especially as the season kicks off, recent events on the domestic front have thrust the St. Mary’s pair to the head of the line (at least for me) at their respective positions. Usually a no brainer when it comes to selection, things are no very much up in the air at goalkeeper and right-back, and that’s exactly what you want.
NATHANIEL CLYNE
Nathaniel Clyne (seen here last season for Southampton) as arguably the best right-back in the Premier League, but still has yet to get his chance for England
If it’s one (well, not just one really) thing that England fans are generally sick of, it’s seeing Glen Johnson in the starting XI. There once was a time where his inclusion was met with appreciation, but the Liverpool man now is much more a liability than a bringer of stability.
The emergence of Tottenham’s Kyle Walker over the last couple of season’s was a much welcomed change at right-back, but his injury ruled him out of featuring for England this summer in Brazil. Roy Hodgson, ever the pragmatist, chose to go back to Johnson rather than a more risky option; that option should have been Clyne.
While I will turn you over in a minute to the words of Ross Bramble, our Southampton go to staff writer, I will simply say the Clyne absolutely needs to be given the starting job for England moving forward. While the only risk he comes with is his lack of experience at a big club, Clyne is as close to a sure thing that you could ever expect.
Brilliant on both sides of the ball and capable of shutting down even the most notable attacking players, it would appear that the only thing keeping him from England is the fact that he still plies his trade on the south coast.
With that said, here’s Ross for more on Clyne;
"“Clyne has the perfect blend of offensive and defensive full-back play. He has pace and strength for both ends of the pitch, great crossing ability, and more than capable of nipping around people and bursting away from them.His tackles are measured to perfection, rarely is he caught out of position, and he has more than enough pace about him to cover himself and track back if he does lose possession.He was able to keep Luis Suarez in his back pocket, and was a class above. While I cannot say I have seen nearly enough of Walker, for me, I definitely prefer Clyne going forward.Truly, he sets such a high standard defensively, that I doubt Walker can come close to matching it; you just do not shake off Nathaniel Clyne if you are stupid enough to try going down his flank”"
Honestly, I could not have put it any better myself. While many will always want players for England to feature prominently for top sides in the league, especially sides that are routinely playing European football, that does not take away from the ability of other players at smaller clubs.
Clyne, is what England truly need at the position, but whether or not Roy Hodgson will be willing to part away with popular opinion is another matter entirely.
FRASIER FORSTER
The giant that is Frasier Forster, who shone for Celtic, will now play in the Premier League with Southampton; Joe Hart beware
Despite having veteran Polish shot-stopper Artur Boruc on the books, Southampton felt it prudent to bring in impressive England keeper Frasier Forster; certainly, this was the right call. Having spent years in Glasgow with Celtic and being the best in the business in Scotland, Frasier is ready for the challenge of taking on the Premier League’s best.
Having been called into Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup this summer, Forster is already a big blip on the radar, but it’s the goings-on at another club that makes his move to the Premier League that much more important for his international career.
Manchester City’s Joe Hart, England’s unquestionable number one (that is about to change), has his job at the Etihad come under massive threat after the club went out and bought Argentine keeper Willy Caballero from La Liga side Malaga. Manuel Pellegrini will be rather familiar with the player, having personally managed him in Spain, and the move will instantly put Hart’s back to the wall.
With Hart now set to likely split time with Caballero, or even lose the staring job to him (Caballero started for City in the Community Shield this past Sunday), it’s the perfect time for Forster, England’s number two keeper at present, to give Hodgson all the evidence he would need to select the big man ahead of Hart.
Forster, though standing a very imposing 6’7, is incredibly agile, composed and has plenty of top level experience from his time at Celtic. Forster also has featured plenty in the Champions League with the legendary Scottish club, and few, if any, can question his pedigree. Coming to England, where the number one shirt at Southampton is all but assured, now pits him against some of the best attacking players in the world, in arguably the best league in the world.
Should he impress as expected, Forster could well rip the shirt off Hart’s back by the time England begin their Euro 20016 qualification campaign.