Man Utd loanee tipped to be new Lionesses star after shining at new-look Spurs
If you’ve kept an eye on Grace Clinton over the last six months, her inclusion in England’s upcoming Nations League squad shouldn’t come across as too much of a shock.
That’s what manager Sarina Wiegman has been doing at least. While Clinton was on loan from Manchester United and helping Bristol City to promotion from the Championship, notes were being made of Clinton’s pace, her vision, her deceptive strength, her propensity for creation and her aptitude in execution.
Notes were also made of her maturation. After scoring the equaliser in a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Coventry City on her debut, the then-19-year-old's second appearance was marred by a red card and subsequent three match ban.
On her return, Clinton vindicated the moment of petulance with a goal in a crucial 3-1 win over promotion rivals London City Lionesses.
In total, Clinton bagged six goals in 12 appearances for City, including the first in the 4-0 promotion-clinching win over Charlton Athletic.
Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd
With Tottenham Hotspur this season, where Clinton is now on loan, the vestiges from her stint in the West Country are visible, as is her ever-evolving arc.
Under new manager Robert Vilahamn, the attacking midfielder has relished the carte blanche to create and combine with the attack from central midfield and left wing. She opened her Spurs account with a 30-yard stunner in the 3-1 comeback victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, then supplied an assist in the 4-2 dispatch of Aston Villa.
In the only match she has not started for Spurs - a 6-0 win over Reading in the Women's League Cup - she got an assist after coming off the bench.
No surprise, then, that Clinton is now training with the Lionesses ahead of England’s upcoming double-header against Belgium.
Grace Clinton has helped Tottenham Hotspur to three successive wins after an opening day defeat to Chelsea (Photo by Alex Broadway - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)"She will be the next superstar in this country if you ask me," extolled Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn. "I think she's brilliant and has the potential to be so good."
The highly-rated 19-year-old has represented England throughout youth level. She signed with the Red Devils following an impressive breakthrough season with girlhood club Everton during the 2020/21 campaign, in which Clinton made 14 appearances as a 16-year-old.
On Clinton’s evolution, United boss Marc Skinner said: “She went out to Bristol City and that was a good stepping stone in terms of her growth to play often. This season Tottenham came in and it is an adaptation to her position as well which helps.
"I'm really proud of her. The reason we use the loan system is so that younger players can show their qualities to hopefully come back and perform for Manchester United.
"With the right players around her she will show her qualities for years to come."
Vilahamn was less oblique in his predictions of Clinton’s ceiling. “In the future, she's going to start as a 10 in the national team, I'm quite sure of that,” he said.
Man Utd boss Skinner sends firm message to Arsenal over Russo contract saga
"Sometimes when you're young and you want to be on the ball a lot, and you don't want to lose it in the risky moments, taking a step out to the left like she's doing now is a good thing.
"She can go into the space with the ball, instead of starting in the space, basically. Then she's also finding her way into those pockets and taking a shot.
"For me she will be a 10, but right now, she's doing a good job as a left winger, so she will probably end up in both positions."
Whether Wiegman will view Clinton as ready for her senior debut remains to be seen, but after an underwhelming international window in which the Lionesses struggled to impart their usual creative threat, the double-header against Belgium could present the perfect opportunity for Clinton to add her touch.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
