by Boh Blythin (8/9/24)
Above: Grace Clinton in action for Tottenham Hotspur last season. Photo: BBC.
Grace Clinton has made an emotional farewell to Tottenham Hotspur after her season-long loan spell, ahead of her return to Manchester United.
The typical idea of a season-long loan is to send a player somewhere they can develop and are more likely to get a higher amount of game-time. However, Clinton exceeded these expectations, becoming a key contributor in the Tottenham Hotspur side.
Many Spurs fans have been left devastated by the loss of England’s up-and-coming superstar. Just before she made her departure from the club, the midfielder was given the supporters’ Player of the Season award.
The energetic youngster developed into a strong midfielder last season, being viewed as one of the most exciting young talents in English football. With the expiration of the loan deal and United recalling the star, Tottenham Hotspur have a big hole left in their squad.
Despite her time at Spurs being brief, the midfielder’s overall performance impacted the club greatly. With standout attributes including the likes of ball control and passing range, she read the game well. Clinton’s ability to make key passes under pressure helped split the opposing defence and create goal-scoring opportunities. Being able to link the defensive and attacking players helped the game transition from defence to offence smoothly.
During her time in North London, the 21-year-old had developed deep chemistry with Bethany England. With her vision and ability to make consistently precise and accurate long attacking balls, she linked well with England’s effective positioning and finishing ability. Their strengths combined created strong chemistry and more attacking chances for the Spurs side. You would often see Clinton provide assists or key passes to create attacking opportunities, which lead to important goals.
On her departure, Spurs have lost a massive amount of creativity in midfield. As an energetic youngster, Clinton was able to offer many opportunities to improve the side’s attacking and defensive play. She displayed this through the likes of her high pressing work rate and defensive support when out of possession.
The midfielder would often drive forward with the ball, creating many goal-scoring opportunities. She was also capable of dropping back and disrupting the opposition’s play by intercepting passes. Losing Clinton may also disrupt chemistry thus affecting the smoothness and effectiveness of the North London side’s tactics.
Upon her return to the Manchester United side, the young star has improved to a greater depth as a midfielder viewed as a more tough and confident individual. She’s well prepared to take on and contribute to the club’s ambitions during the upcoming season thanks to a consistent work ethic and development of her play and self-belief.
Competing in an intense league with high standards and putting her up against such talented opponents more frequently is something she wouldn’t have got as much access to if she stayed with Manchester United. Due to the club’s top talent, there is competition when fighting to be in the starting lineup. As Clinton was only young and lacking in experience in the league, the likes of Ella Toone and Leah Galton were ahead of her in the pecking order.
The WSL brings huge demands and features top-tier talent. Alongside Clinton’s increase in game time and experience on the pitch, she has upped her physicality and intensity to another level. Overall improving her mental and physical toughness including strength and stamina, is essential for a young and energetic player who aspires to become one of the best.
In the upcoming years, Clinton could become a key player in the Manchester United side. The midfielder is more than ready to contribute significantly to the squad.
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