Crystal Palace duo backed to break into Gareth Southgate’s England squad

Nathaniel Clyne has backed Crystal Palace team-mates Tyrick Mitchell and Marc Guehi for senior call-ups to Gareth Southgate’s England side.

Mitchell, 22, has started every game under Patrick Vieira this season and graduated through the Eagles academy.

Mitchell won November’s Player of the Month award at Selhurst Park, with his performances said to be catching the eye of the England boss.

Guehi, the England U21 captain, joined the South Londoners in the summer from Chelsea for an £18million fee. Guehi, 21, has only missed one game this season under the French World Cup Winner.

Clyne played 14 times for the England senior side between 2014 and 2016 during his time with Southampton and Liverpool.

“Yeah, definitely,” said Clyne when asked whether he, as a former international, would back the duo in their claims for a spot in the England senior side.

“They are definitely on the verge [of it]. They are both performing really well, and they’re both putting in man of the match performances – they haven’t put a foot wrong.

“They are growing and getting better with every game they can. If they continue the way that they’re going, I can see them getting a call-up and hopefully they can make an appearance for England. It will be good for them and for the club as well.”

Clyne played his second 90 minutes of the season in Saturday’s 1-0 loss against newly crowned Club World Cup champions Chelsea. He was thrust into the starting line up after regular right-back Joel Ward picked up an injury prior to the match.

“I haven’t played in a while, so I was just focused on having a good start and preparing well in training – I was excited to see my name on the teamsheet,” said Clyne.

“I thought I did really well. I grew into the game as well, and overall it was good. Hopefully, it will continue, and I will get better with a run [of games].”

Clyne signed a one-year contract in the summer but has been unable to dislodge Ward from his starting position.

When asked whether it was difficult not playing as much as he would have liked, the 30-year-old said: “Every player that’s not playing games or on the bench or not involved is not in a good space.

“I stayed positive – I always trained hard and kept my body in good shape to be ready for whenever I was called upon. Today, I got the opportunity to play, and hopefully, I did the manager proud.”

Stockwell-born Clyne progressed through Palace’s academy and made his first-team debut in 2008 under Neil Warnock. Clyne would go on to play more than 100 games for the Eagles in the Championship and picked up the 2009/10 Player of the Year award.

He left for Southampton in 2012 but returned to Palace in 2020 under Roy Hodgson.

“This club feels like home. I have been here through the academy, played a lot of games in the Championship with Palace, and now I’m enjoying playing in the Premier League [with the club].

“I love being here – love coming into training. It’s my local team, so I have got all my family and friends coming to watch the games. It’s enjoyable, and I am loving every minute of it.”