Matthew Clarke is a very talented centre-back who has taken giant strides of late. He played the recently concluded season with Portsmouth in the Championship and was their player of the year after 46 appearances in all competitions, in which he has performed at a very high level.

Clarke is a tall, physical centre-back with an added attribute of being good at both ends of the pitch. He is a typical old-school no-nonsense defender, the one who may be relied upon to clear out a possible patchy situation.

Positions he can play in

Clarke is an out and out central defender. Obviously, being linked to many clubs this summer means he would be needed to play in a different system, although, Portsmouth have made it clear that they will only be responsive if a stellar offer comes up.

What would he offer Watford

Being a no-nonsense defender with a good aerial ability is what a team like Watford needs. The Hornets generally play 3 at the back with physically gifted centre-backs.

His passing from the back may not be the best, opposite of which Javi Gracia would want. But in the Premier League, where sometimes the ‘clearance’ defenders are a necessity for a mid-table club, Clarke would do a good job.

With the likes of Sebastian Prodl, Miguel Britos looking unusually susceptible this season, Gracia would want someone who can provide assurance there. He may play Clarke as the deepest of the three centre-backs.

The only negative for Watford is that the player recently signed a new contract at Portsmouth, which keeps him at Fratton Park until 2020. So, if the Hornets need him, they would need to pay a decent fee.

Overview

Watford would do with an assured centre-back in their line-up next season. Matt Clarke has the attributes to do just that for the Premier League club. At the age of 21, he has played 108 professional games for Ipswich and Portsmouth in Championship football.

So, if the Hornets are interested in the player, they must go for him and sign him up before any other club gets involved.