Nathaniel Clyne left impressed by growth of Crystal Palace since he last spell in their famous red-and-blue

BY SAM SMITH

Nathaniel Clyne feels that Crystal Palace have the foundations in place to continue growing as a football club.

The right-back re-signed for the Eagles last month following an eight-year hiatus in which he appeared for Southampton, Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Clyne departed Palace in 2012 to join the Saints when the South Londoners were a Championship club. Palace were promoted a year later and have remained in the top-flight ever since.

Stockwell-born Clyne has noticed the changes that have been made – including plans to redevelop Selhurst Park.

He said: “Even when you look around the training ground, the facilities have changed a lot since I was here. The facilities have got a lot better.

“You’ve got the stadium being redeveloped, which is also good. You can see that the club is getting bigger and it’s moving in the right direction, which everyone can be thankful for. I’m sure that the fans will be happy with it, which is important.

“We’re an established Premier League side now and you can see that the quality has gone up in the club.

“You can also see that the quality of the players has gone up because we’re attracting some top internationals and we’re looking good.”

Palace boss Roy Hodgson handed Clyne 13 of his 14 England caps during the 73-year-old’s spell in charge of the Three Lions between 2012 and 2016.

The 29-year-old told Premier League Productions: “It’s good to be back working with the gaffer. I know his style of play and I know what he wants from the players. It’s a familiarity with which I’m used to. I’m enjoying it.

Clyne made his professional bow for the Eagles as a 17-year-old in 2008 when Neil Warnock was in charge.

“It was probably my best memory – everyone remembers their debut. It was at home and live on Sky.

“All my family were there. We won 3-0 against Barnsley.

“During that week I signed my first professional contract with the club and also passed my driving test, so it was a very good week for me.”