'The only thing you don't want in football is regret,' said the Manchester City defender. 'If you lose against a better side then that's it, hands up, you have to accept it.
'But when you feel deep inside that they are not better than you, you will always regret it and then that's hard. It makes you angry and disappointed. We should do better.'
It's not difficult to guess the theme. Talking to Sportsmail the day after City had earned a thoroughly deserved victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, Clichy is reflecting ruefully and honestly on a season spent largely in their neighbours' shadow.
Last Monday's 2-1 win in the Barclays Premier League revealed just how deep the City talent pool is.
Equally, though, it asked some very obvious questions about why City are 12 points behind United and seeking domestic consolation from the FA Cup.
Clichy said: 'I don't believe they (United) have been better than us. But we have had games where we have been the best team but have not won. We have thrown so many games away.
'Showing what we showed on Monday, we can have regret because the quality is there. 'When we have the right spirit and focus from the first minute to the end, I am not sure who can really hurt us. It is only because sometimes we have lacked a bit of spirit.
'In England every team has quality and will fight so it's about being willing to hurt yourself and to fight for your team-mates.
'I'm not saying we don't want to fight for each other. We do. I say 'spirit' but what I mean is focus and desire and making sure you are not just at 100 per cent but at 110 per cent. Sometimes we were at 80 per cent and in England that's not enough.'
The context to Cl ichy' s remarks is important. The France full back was not intimating a lack of commitment among his team-mates. He certainly wasn't suggesting they don't care.
Nevertheless, questions of desire and spirit are thorny ones in a modern Premier League where perception can be important.
'I am not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo,' continued Clichy. 'If I have a few bad games, I won't be forgiven as easily as I don't score 50 goals a season. I must be 110 per cent every single match.
'It's hard for everyone - and especially if you are new to the Premier League. You have to quickly adapt to the intensity.
'You need to be able to play at Stoke in zero degrees, when they are playing long balls, just as easily as you would if you were playing Manchester United in perfect conditions.'
It has been a season of hard yards for City. After the euphoric manner of last year's title win, Roberto Mancini's team have found it difficult.
Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea at Wembley does, though, open up a route to what would be at least partial redemption.
'It's not a fantastic season because we want to win everything,' added Clichy. 'But in reality, to win one trophy every year is great for any club. Finishing second in the league is also a good achievement.
If you can't win the league or the Champions League then the FA Cup still makes it a great season.
'In a way we (Chelsea and City) have been the same. City played amazing football and then lost or drew games we should have won; the same for Chelsea. But I think the last few games are going to be very important for both clubs. This is a huge game for both of us.'
It is difficult to speak to any City player at the moment, though, without raising the question of Mancini's future.
The Italian's fluctuating season has mirrored that of his team. Having spent eight years with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal before Mancini bought him in 2011, Clichy has only played for two managers during the past decade. He understands the merit in continuity.
'You will have some people who will say City should have done better and who want the manager out,' said the 27-year-old.
'But then you have other people who think a new manager will bring in four or five players, take three or four players out. That's 40 per cent of the team.
'That means, in a way, you are just moving a bit backwards when what you really want is just to build year after year.
'People have been talking about the way he (Mancini) was picking the team and playing three at the back, five at the back, four at the back.
'I believe it's because he has so much belief in the squad, he thinks we can play in any formation. That's a good thing. You want that confidence.
'But then the results are not great for a club like City. So of course people are going to talk. For me, he is the one who took me to City and I have a title.
'In three years he won the Charity Shield, the league and the FA Cup. For some people that would be great because he brought success to the club. Other people say that with all the money that the club have invested, anyone could have done it. You can never win!
'But the reality is that we won the title last year and not a lot of teams retain it. Can you blame him (for not winning this year)? Can you blame the players? Yes, because we are the ones that make things happen on the pitch.
'So it's a no-win situation for everyone and we just have to go with the people who are in charge of the club.'
Monday's derby game was won by a stunning goal from City centre forward Sergio Aguero.
Clichy admired from afar. His position at left back is not readily associated with glamour and that, it turns out, is why he grew up trying to establish himself as a striker.
'It's probably 13 years ago,' he smiled. 'When you are small and young this is all you want, isn't it? You want to be the one scoring goals and for people to see you with No 10 on your back.
'But then you realise that a team needs 11 on the pitch and someone even has to be the goalkeeper! After all, not everyone can be like Sergio. I am happy with my role.'
Sticking with the theme of glamour footballers, Clichy's conversation is littered with references to Messi and Ronaldo.
'Next to them, everyone else looks ridiculous,' he said. Clichy has already played alongside some of the best and realised several boyhood dreams.
'If I could be one then I would be Thierry Henry, for sure,' he said. 'When I arrived on my first day at Arsenal I waited a bit to get to know him and then told him I had his picture on my wall and that he had to sign a few shirts for me.
'And then, six months later, I am in his house and he is making food for me. It was a big dream. It shows that with some work and some focus you can get to where you want to be. Not everyone can be those guys but, for sure, you can have a good life.'
Another former Arsenal forward, Samir Nasri, has not enjoyed such a good life at City - at least not this season.
'He has so much talent that people always want him to do more,' said Clichy. 'I am sure he will get there. Of course he is a good friend and I told him the other day that he is a great player.
'When he plays like he did against United I don't see many who can match him.'
Clichy has been good company for half an hour, a bright young footballer aware of his responsibility, obligation and role. City need more like him. And less regret.
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