Liverpool and England Star “Has a Lot Left” for Upcoming Euros

No outfield player in England played more in 2015-16 than Nathaniel Clyne. Liverpool’s consistent throughout the season, the right back racked up 52 appearances and 4661 minutes last season, leaving many fans worried about injury and burnout.

Those fears, though, were never realised, and Clyne ended the season one of the club’s most valuable players—Liverpool Offside readers named him Player of the Season over Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino—after having arrived from Southampton for a mere £12.5M last summer.

Now, those same fans will again be worrying about injury and burnout and too many games for the 25-year-old right back, who will be expected to start for England at the upcoming Euros. Clyne, though, says fans of both club and country shouldn’t worry as he has plenty left in the tank.

"I still have a lot left in the tank to continue through the tournament," Clyne said. "Hopefully I can get more experience as it is my first tournament. This is what you see as a little kid when you watched England on TV so I am looking forward to it and hopefully it will be a good one.

"I watched [the last Euros] on television in a Miami hotel so I’m excited—everyone wants to be playing for their country. I’ve been through losing two cup finals [with Liverpool], which is disappointing, but it urges me on to do better and try to win this time."

The Euros will kick off for England and Clyne on June 11th, the second day of the tournament, when the Three Lions take on their strongest opponents in Group B, Russia. Their second match pits them against Wales on June 16th and their third against Slovakia on the 20th.

Though Endland will be favourites, it’s no pushover of a group. Russia were unexpectedly beaten to fist in their qualifying group when they stumbled head-to-head against Austria, while the Slovaks finished second to Spain in their qualifying group and were the only side to beat the Spanish.

Wales, meanwhile, will be eager to pull the upset against their larger neighbours. Still, on paper, it’s a group that England should be able to advance from—especially given that from six four-team groups, the top four third-place finishers will also advance to the knockout rounds this year.

"Everyone is working hard in training and in matches," added Clyne. "England have a strong team and hopefully we can do well at the tournament."