Why Manchester City Is the Ideal Destination for Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne
It has been an interesting 12 months for Manchester City.
After securing two trophies last season, much was expected as an encore this term, but Manuel Pellegrini has been more under fire than anything in 2014/15.
This change in fortune might be attributed to the Citizens' aging squad. Cornerstones Vincent Kompany (28), David Silva (29) and Yaya Toure (31) have been largely inconsistent this year, leading many to assert that newer, younger life is needed at the Etihad.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Members in charge of the City Football Group should take note: Of City's first-team regulars, only two players—Eliaquim Mangala (24) and Stevan Jovetic (25)—are under 26.
The window for this rendition of Manchester City is rapidly closing.
Winning two Premier League titles and two domestic cups since 2011, success has been forthcoming—but for the money spent getting them to an elite level (over £700 million on transfer fees since summer 2008), one might have expected more silverware in the Etihad's trophy case.
As one cycle winds down, however, another must begin.
Slightly handicapped by UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations, City cannot spend the amounts of money they did in the early portions of their makeover, but they do have many world-class talents who look salable. Acquiring middle-aged footballers, then keeping them past their prime has worked for the likes of Chelsea, but hardly seems a viable solution to building a long-term winner.
Pellegrini's position has come under threat in recent days, as highlighted by BBC Sport's Phil McNulty, but should the Chilean stay in Manchester there will be multiple decisions to make.
One player who has elevated his stature in English football—for both club and country—and should be on the Citizens' renovative radar is Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne.
Bacary Sagna (32) and Pablo Zabaleta (30) are Man City's current right-backs; the former was signed as a free agent last summer, and the latter has been at the Etihad since August 2008—both their contracts end after the 2016/17 season.
An ideal situation for City would be Clyne staying at Southampton next season, then attempting to sign the England international in summer 2016—but there may not be time to wait.
The Guardian's Dominic Fifield reports Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the 24-year-old right-back, meaning City must strike sooner rather than later.
United have Rafael (24) and the all-purpose Phil Jones (23) as right-back possibilities. Jose Mourinho possesses options with Branislav Ivanovic (31), Cesar Azpilicueta (25) and Kurt Zouma (20). Arsenal have Mathieu Debuchy (29), Hector Bellerin (20) and Calum Chambers (20) as potential right full-back solutions.
The clubs' alleged interest in Clyne appears largely rooted in the fact he is English. Homegrown stars have always been highly coveted, but as shouts for further regulation on foreign players increase, so does the thirst for top English talent.
City require players of Clyne's age in their fold if they hope to maintain some semblance of relevance—his nationality is simply icing on the proverbial cake.
Obviously the defending champions cannot sign one young player and hope he suffices; the undertaking must be concerted, with several older pieces leaving and younger players being installed on cue.
With an expiring contract after 2015/16, and Saints offering Clyne just £45,000 per week in attempts to fend off competition from the relative big boys—as reported by the Daily Mirror's Adrian Kajumba—City must join the race for the young Englishman's signature.
Pellegrini can offer Clyne more playing time than other managers, as his in-house twosome are nearing their top-flight endings. At other Champions League contenders, the 24-year-old would be competing for minutes—not playing his current St. Mary's allotment.
As Manchester City look in desperate need of knocking down one project to launch another, acquiring a fantastic English talent—in conjunction with other possible targets (e.g. Kevin De Bruyne, as noted by Simon Jones of the Daily Mail)—would be a fantastic message to send about the Citizens' long-term staying power.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
