Clucas: Clement can make me a better player

Sam Clucas believes he can take another step forward in his remarkable rise under Paul Clement at Swansea City.

The midfielder has joined the Swans after finalising his move from Championship side Hull City.

The 26-year-old has worked hard to ensure he propelled himself up the football pyramid since being released by Leicester City ten years ago.

From working at a café in a department store, Clucas’ career included stints at Lincoln City, Glenn Hoddle’s Academy, Hereford United, Mansfield Town, Chesterfield and then Hull City.

Now he finds himself playing under Clement, who worked with some of football’s biggest names during his spell as assistant boss with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

And Clucas believes Clement can make him a better player at the Liberty.

“The manager’s CV is unbelievable,’’ said Clucas. “ He's worked with all the top players at the top clubs and it was definitely another pull for me because I think that experience can help make me a better player.

“I think one of the big things for the manager was my versatility. I started as a striker, played on the left wing and everywhere in midfield. To be honest I hadn’t really nailed down a position until the last two years when I played regularly in the centre of midfield with Hull.

“When I spoke to the manager he liked my versatility and the fact that I can play in multiple positions. But he said that I've got a fight for the shirt first because there are a lot of good players in the team.

“It's going to be tough, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and getting on the pitch to show what I can do.

“I’m fit and raring to go.’’