Jack Clarke had a breakthrough campaign last season for Leeds United as he was able to affect quite a few games in his little cameos coming off the bench. However, ever since his dugout collapse against Middlesbrough, Clarke has found it hard to get game time at the club.
One expected him to play a significant role this season for Leeds United even though he was sold to Tottenham for £10m. The London outfit sent him back on loan thinking he could continue with his development at Elland Road. However, Clarke is yet to start a game in the Championship, and has barely made it into the match-day squads this season.
Bielsa provides an update on Clarke
Because of that, reports started emerging that Clarke will be recalled back by Tottenham in January. However, Bielsa recently gave some hope that the 18-year-old winger is close to being back to his best. The Argentine boss recently said (Football. London), ”He is improving. Clarke has a process that allows him to play in the first team. After he had a problem far from a long period. Now, step by step, he’s finding his level.”
So there is some hope that Clarke could get some chances to impress in some of the upcoming games. The English youngster has only appeared in two Carabao Cup ties so far, and he hasn’t even been used as a substitute in the Championship.
Is there a chance for Clarke to make an impact?
The Whites aren’t doing too well in the attacking third and Clarke’s counterpart Jack Harrison has frustrated with his final product on the left-wing. We think that Clarke could get some chances to shine from the bench in some future matches. When Hernandez was fit, Helder Costa was often used as an impact substitute by Bielsa. Costa then soon got his chances to start as Hernandez went down with an injury.
However, Costa hasn’t set the pitch ablaze with his performances. One can term his performances to be poor in some of the games. Therefore with Costa and Harrison struggling, Clarke could get a few late run-ins in some of the upcoming fixtures.
As things stand though, he is likely to return to Tottenham in January. It will be underwhelming for the Whites faithful to see Clarke leave Elland Road without making any real impact in the last few months. A lot was expected of him, but maybe he could get some chances to shine in the remaining two months as Bielsa did indicate that he is getting back to his best.
