In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, he reflects on key moments - such as his debut against Leicester, his move from Hull City to Swansea, and playing alongside some of the game’s top talents - that have shaped his career and resilience.
Drawing on his extensive playing background and ambitions to give back to the sport, Clucas emphasises the importance of adaptability, mental toughness, and sharing knowledge to inspire the next generation of footballers.
Flashscore: Reflecting on your time in the Premier League, can you share a memorable moment, highlight, or achievement that stands out to you?
Clucas: “A particular highlight that comes to mind would be my debut in the Premier League, playing against Leicester in the first game of the season after they had just won the league the year before, and winning the game against the team I spent six years at when I was young - the team that released me for being too small.
"But also, playing and scoring in the Premier League, meaning I had scored in all four English professional leagues, was special and a dream come true.”
I assume your move from Hull City to Swansea City was driven by the desire to stay in the Premier League - how did you adapt to the differences in playing style, team environment, and club culture? Were there specific challenges you had to overcome during that transition?
“I loved my time at Hull and, to be honest, wasn’t looking to move away; however, having just played a season in the Premier League and performing well enough to attract interest from other teams, it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down and another chance at the top level.
"I thought Swansea would be the perfect club for me, with their playing style and how I wanted to play the game. It was obviously difficult, mainly because of the transfer fee and the fact that some supporters saw me as a replacement for Gylfi Sigurdsson, which I wasn’t - I am a different player to him.
"Nevertheless, I loved my time there during a difficult season, and it was an amazing place to play and live.”
In your view, what are the essential qualities that make a midfielder successful at the highest level? How do you manage the physical and mental pressures of playing in the Premier League? And what advice would you give to aspiring young players aiming to reach the top?
“I think to play at the top level, you have to be able to do everything well across the board. I have always said I feel the Premier League was the easiest league I played in in terms of getting on the ball and having more time than in other leagues.
"However, when you lose the ball at that level, you don’t get it back for a long time, and the opposition usually hurts you.
"I think players just have to concentrate on playing well every week and do the simple things well, keep themselves mentally and physically in top shape, and then see what happens.”
Having competed across all top five English leagues, do you believe the biggest step up is from the Championship to the Premier League? If so, what makes that jump particularly challenging?
“As I said previously, I felt the higher I played, the easier it got in terms of getting on the ball and playing. No doubt that comes with playing with better players, pitches, and tactics at the top level.
"I just think the Premier League has four or five teams that are way ahead of others, whereas I always feel the Championship is pretty level, and it’s very much possible every week to beat any team in the league.
"I think, in the Premier League as well, the players are just proper athletes; you can tell the tempo of the games goes up when teams have the ball, and the players just generally seem a lot faster, sharper, and more powerful than in other leagues.”
You’ve experienced the rollercoaster of football with promotions and relegations - how do you stay motivated and focused during tougher times like injuries or team struggles?
“I’ve had some difficult times in my career, but honestly, I think I’ve stayed pretty humble and always just remind myself I’m getting paid to play football and I get to kick a ball around every day like I dreamed of when I was a kid.
"Regardless of everything else, it’s the best job in the world. I think to stay in the game professionally for a long period, you have to adapt to a certain mindset and mentality to deal with the pressures of games, fans, clubs, injuries, and so on.”
You’ve worked with renowned managers such as Steve Bruce and Marco Silva - what impact did they have on your development? Are there other coaches or mentors who have significantly influenced you on or off the field?
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some big names in football, and I think you take away little things from every single one of them, to be honest, whether that’s good or bad.
"Now I’ve done my coaching badges, I look back and think of what type of manager I want to be, and I consider the managers I’ve worked with, taking the good bits from them and saying that’s what I want to be like.
"All the managers I’ve worked with so far have had bits that I’ve taken away in a positive way.”
You’ve shared the pitch with many top players - who would you say is the best teammate you’ve played alongside, and who is the toughest opponent you’ve come up against?
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with some top players and top humans as well. I think the best player I played with was Tom Huddlestone; technically, with both feet, he was so good, and as a midfielder at the time, I used to watch the way he would manipulate the ball in training and games and try to copy that.
"In terms of opponents, because I played the majority of my games as a 6, I always thought players like Philippe Coutinho and Eden Hazard were really hard to play against because of their low centre of gravity and ability to just get away from you so quickly.”
You were on the pitch when current England star Jarrod Bowen made his Premier League debut for Hull at Watford in October 2016. What are your thoughts on his progression since then? Did you see his potential to reach the top, or has it been a surprise?
“Yes, I knew Jarrod would play at the top level from when I used to watch him in training at Hull. Not only was he really good on the ball, but also a great lad, and you could tell he had the mindset and ability to reach the top.
"It’s great to see him doing so well, and hopefully he will get more England caps on his way.”
During your time at Hull, you played alongside Harry Maguire. What’s he like as a person, and do you think he receives unfair criticism from fans of Manchester United and England?
“Harry is one of the best people you can meet and honestly a proper down-to-earth lad. The abuse he received during that period was disgraceful and unjustified in my opinion. He’s a top player, and I think now people are starting to see that properly with England and Man United.
"At the time, a lot of people were just jumping on the hate online to get clicks and likes because he’s a top, top player and a top pro. I think he handled it very well, though, and knows the game and what comes with playing for Manchester United during a difficult time for the club.
"But for me, as a United fan, I think he's been really good and one of the most consistent performers for England and United over the past few years.”
Having played with Andy Robertson before he became a Premier League and Champions League winner, and now likely seeing him captain Scotland at the upcoming World Cup - how proud are you of his career trajectory and achievements?
A: “Andy Robertson is another top human being as well as footballer. He was the one at Hull we all knew he would be playing in the Premier League at some point because of his consistent mentality, having come up the way and worked his way up to that level.
"I think that gives players extra motivation and an extra kick to want to make it to the top level, and I think both he and Harry (Maguire) have this. What he’s achieved with Scotland and Liverpool is incredible, and seeing him captain Scotland to a World Cup is amazing. I couldn’t be happier for him and his family.”
The most high-profile foreign player you’ve shared a dressing room with is arguably former Spain international Bojan Krkić, who played 163 games for Barcelona and also featured for AC Milan, Roma, and Ajax. What was it like playing with him? Did his technical ability stand out compared to others?
“Bojan was so good technically, definitely one of the best I’ve played with. I think for a player like him, he’s suited to the Premier League more than the Championship and needs to be in a team that is built around him and gives him a free role.
"He was still very good for us at Stoke but obviously didn’t play as much as he’d have liked and ended up leaving.
"However, he was such a good player and a great guy to be around. A player who’s played with the best players in the world is someone you have to respect and try to watch and learn from every day.”
Krkić was one of those players who made it to the top, being, probably, too young, and reportedly struggled with anxiety problems, causing him not to go to the Euros in 2008. Do you think young players are well taken care of, or do they just need to perform? Also, did you guys realise back then how important mental health is, particularly for the youngest players?
“I certainly feel like there’s change in clubs these days in terms of mental health; there’s a lot more clubs are doing and offering, and also the PFA.
"But a few years ago, there wasn’t enough being done at some clubs. I know every club is different, but yes, there is definitely more out there now to help players, and this probably comes from a lot more players speaking out about their struggles with it over the years and the pressure of playing football week in and week out.”
I actually watched you live a few months ago when Shrewsbury faced my local team, Barnet, at The Hive, and your stunning goal really showcased your quality. We at Flashscore rated you as the best player on the pitch that day, and it was thoroughly deserved! What do you make of your performances and good form this season?
“I’m enjoying my time at Shrewsbury so far. We had a tricky start, but we are starting to turn it around a bit now. I just love playing football and have always said that I will play until I can’t play anymore because, like I said earlier, it’s the best job in the world.
"I think just enjoying football and the environment is a massive contributor to good performances.
"Also, I like the added pressure I put on myself every week to perform, as I’m one of the players who have played higher up the pyramid and want to show why.”
As you look ahead, have you thought about your future beyond playing? Are there ambitions to become a coach, manager, or perhaps work in the media as a pundit? What are your personal goals for the next stage of your career?
A: “Yes, I took steps a few years ago to start my badges, and I’ve completed my A licence now. I’ve also done a bit of media work, and my intention is definitely to stay in football in some capacity, as it’s all I’ve known my whole life.
"I feel my experience in and outside the game gives me knowledge and experiences that I want to share and give back to football.”
You can now follow specific players like Clucas in the Flashscore app - learn more here!