26 november 2019 In de media

Clark has the best crossing accuracy rate in Europe’s major leag

You may not have heard of Max Clark. But if the left-back continues in his current vain, you will before too long.
The 23-year-old’s making waves in Holland playing for Vitesse Arnhem having joined from Hull City in 2018, after breaking through following in Andy Robertson’s footprints.

Gradually the former England youth international’s emerging as one of the best performing full-backs in European football. Gradually, Premier League clubs are beginning to take notice.

Clark had gone under the radar but his performances in the Eredivisie have started to bring the inevitable attention.

A recent report conducted by Sky Sports that selected England’s best starting XI – according to statistics – ahead of the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Montenegro and Kosovo selected Clark ahead of Ben Chilwell and Danny Rose.

Clark doesn't only boast higher performance statistics than any other left back currently available to Gareth Southgate but his crossing accuracy percentage alone is the best in Holland and the top leagues in England, Spain, Italy and France.

At 47 percent so far this season its higher than England’s two recognised right backs Kieran Tripper (37 percent) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (31 percent) as well as the two aforementioned left backs.

Clark’s delivery from wide positions has been impressively effective – creating 20 chances for his team-mates already this season.

He was also named in the starting XI for Europe’s best players under the age of 23 alongside three current England internationals Mason Mount, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tammy Abraham.

The defender’s reputation is burgeoning – English football is starting to sit up and take notice.

Clark, who had two spells on loan at Cambridge United, started his career at Hull and became a key player under Leonid Slutsky.

He rejected numerous offers to stay at the KCOM Stadium before leaving to join up with Slutsky at Vitesse.

His career has gone from strength to strength under Slutsky’s tutelage, playing an integral role of the Dutch club ever since.

His early season performances for Vitesse were hugely eye-catching as the Dutch club kept pace with Ajax during the early weeks of the season – scoring once and providing a hat-trick of assists.

The defender relishes the ugly side of the game, too, his pace and combative nature making him particular effective in one-on-one scenarios winning 62 percent of his defensive duels and making over 115 interceptions already this season.

While international recognition for Clark may not have been the sole reason for his move to the continent, his upward trajectory and impressive performances have will sooner or later put him on Southgate’s radar.

Premier League clubs must also be paying close attention.

Dailymail / Foto’s SV

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