Clyne or Walker, who should be England’s first choice right back?

Follow us on Google Discover

The Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur defenders are currently battling for the right back role.

Friday evening sees England taking on Scotland in their latest World Cup qualifying fixture.

They head into the game with a number of questions over the current squad and the team that Gareth Southgate should choose.

The left back position is one that is fiercely contested, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker and Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne both fighting it out for the role.

England interim manager Gareth Southgate during the press conference

It was the Spurs man who won the battle in the summer when he was the first choice under Roy Hodgson at Euro 2016.

With a new man in charge places are up for grabs, though, so who should Southgate choose? We have taken a look at the stats to find out.

As it turns out it is the Tottenham defender against as he came out on top in four of the eight areas analysed.

Clyne has won more tackles per game, 1.7 compared to 1.5 and they are level on effective blocked crosses per game.

Walker, though, comes out on top for interception won, 1.6 compared to 1.1 and defensive duels won six compared to 3.3.

Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne in action

He is also ahead for accurate crosses per game, although Clyne wins for accurate passes per game, 38 compared to 35 and key passes per game, 1.5 compared to one.

It is Walker who has the more assists this season, though, with two to his name so far compared to Clyne’s tally of one.

The Spurs man is the overall winner in this comparison but the close result shows just how tough a job Southgate has in choosing his first choice right back.

Tottenham’s Kyle Walker applauds fans after the game