Tottenham signed Jack Clarke from Leeds United in July and loaned the 18-year-old back to Elland Road for the 2019/20 season. Clarke can’t get into the starting eleven under Marcelo Bielsa and risks wasting a year in his development if he stays at Leeds.
The English winger has racked up just 70 minutes of football since returning to Yorkshire. He started against Salford in the EFL Cup on August 13 and was substituted in the second-half. Clarke was an unused substitute against Bristol City (August 4) and Nottingham Forest (August 10) but was left out of the matchday against Wigan Athletic (August 17).
Given the teenager has made only six starts for Leeds in 12 months, it’s perhaps no surprise that he’s on the periphery at Elland Road. Bielsa’s treatment of Clarke may also suggest he’s not training well enough to be selected on matchdays. Nevertheless, Tottenham will be angered that their summer signing isn’t getting the minutes he needs to develop.
Recalling Clarke wouldn’t necessarily be the best option either as Mauricio Pochettino has Heung-min Son, Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela who can compete in his position, so all Tottenham can hope is that Clarke can get back into the Leeds side.