Former Portsmouth favourite Matt Clarke outperforming Manchester United top scorer Wayne Rooney at Derby

It was a step-up every Pompey fan knew he was capable of making.
Matt Clarke. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty ImagesMatt Clarke. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images
Matt Clarke. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images

And now Matt Clarke has acclimatised to life at Derby County, the stats show he's making a significant impact on the Championship.

The centre-back’s departure from Fratton Park last summer was inevitable after the Blues failed to win promotion from League One.

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Even if Kenny Jackett’s side had reached the second tier, Clarke would still likely have completed a switch to Premier League Brighton.

Would he have been loaned back if the Blues had made the step? Well, we’ll never know.

But what has become clear is Pompey’s failings in that department have become the Rams’ gain, with cultured defender impressing at Pride Park as he prepares himself for his next move – with the Seagulls in the top flight.

His Derby debut – a 2-1 win over Huddersfield in front of the Sky Sports cameras – was scintillating, as he took to his new surroundings with aplomb.

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When he did eventually return for a sustained spell in the Philip Cocu’s line-up, a knee injury sidelined him for almost two months.

Yet, since his recovery, the centre-back’s been a key player in the Derby ranks.

He’s helped transform the Rams from a side flirting with relegation to one having an outside chance of finishing in the play-offs once the 2019-20 campaign resumes.

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And according to whoscored.com, he's been Derby’s best performer this season.

The website compiles its stats using Opta data, with Clarke averaging a match rating of 7.07 from his 26 league appearances to date.

That puts him ahead of former Manchester United ace and England’s record top-scorer, Wayne Rooney (7), as well as the likes of Wales international Tom Lawrence (7.01) and Premier League veteran Curtis Davies (6.99).

Certainly, there’s not one Blues supporter who’ll begrudge Clarke his success – in fact, they’ll be behind him every step of the way.

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And it stands the 23-year-old in good stead for when he does return to Brighton next season.

There’s stiff competition, though, in the Seagulls’ central defence.

Another ex-Pompey favourite, Adam Webster, is a regular performer at the Amex.

Meanwhile, there’s players like Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy and Dan Burn to also compete with.

But one thing is clear – Clarke's career continues on an upward trajectory since leaving PO4 and he’ll welcome any further challenges that come his way.

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