Nathaniel Clyne and Matteo Darmian are enjoying a decent start to their club career at Liverpool and Manchester United respectively. While the former Southampton man had been the league’s best right back last season and was expected to settle easily at An field, the relatively unknown Darmian’s arrival from the Italian club Torino caught most Man Utd fans by surprise. Here, we try to find out who has been a better in that right back position so far.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Clyne was expected to settle in quickly at the club, and he did just that. Under ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, he had been consistently good. His strengths include good defensive solidity, the ability to whip in fine crosses and also the desire to always run and help the team. However, he is also prone to making errors, and sometimes these cost the team. Overall, he is a good buy who will only improve with time.

Although a late bloomer, yet Matteo Darmian has taken the league by storm with his excellent positional sense impressing one and all. He is also very good while going forward and provides excellent cover for Juan Mata on the right side who isn’t really the most industrious player. Moreover, Darmian is also very versatile as Louis van Gaal uses him on the left side as a replacement for the injured Luke Shaw. However, against fast counter attacking sides, Darmian has been found wanting as was shown in the way Arsenal exploited his vulnerabilities at the Emirates Stadium a couple of weeks back.

WHAT DO THE STATS SAY?

Nathaniel Clyne has a Squawka rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 with a Performance Score of 94. Clyne in the Barclays Premier League has won 18 tackles this season with a success rate of 56%. He has made 16 interceptions, 20 clearances and three blocks. His average pass accuracy is 77%, average defensive actions are 4 and has so far made 1 defensive error in 9 appearances for the Merseysiders.

Darmian also has a Squawka rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 with a Performance Score of 82. Darmian in the Barclays Premier League has won 22 tackles this season with a success rate of 46%. He has made 16 interceptions, 18 clearances and one block. His average pass accuracy is 84%, average defensive actions are 4 and has not made a single defensive error so far in 9 appearances for the Red Devils.

FINAL VERDICT:

Nathaniel Clyne edges over Matteo Darmian so far. However, it will be interesting to see how these 2 players progress as the season goes on, and I will be looking to gauge them even further.

Stats via Squawka