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‘Feel for him’: Some Leeds fans discuss what’s happened to player who left in 2019

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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ENFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Jack Clarke of Tottenham Hotspur during the Tottenham Hotspur pre-season training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on July 29, 2021 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

Leeds fans have taken to Twitter to react after hearing that Sunderland have signed Jack Clarke on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season.

What’s the story?

Well, it has been a tough ride for Clarke since he left Leeds in 2019.

When Spurs paid £10m for the exciting England Under-20 international, it seemed as if the Leeds Academy graduate would go on to do great things.

Now, after spending time on loan at Queens Park Rangers and Stoke, the 21-year-old now finds himself on his third loan spell since 2020.

Unsurprisingly – given the manner in which he departed Elland Road – the Leeds supporters on Twitter have been discussing Clarke’s move to Wearside.

Some expressed sympathy for the youngster, with one fan claiming that the talented winger has been badly advised throughout his career.

Jack Clarke should never have left Leeds

DERBY, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Jack Clarke of Leeds United applauds the fans at full time during the Sky Bet Championship Play-off Semi Final First Leg match between Derby County and Leeds United at Pride Park Stadium on May 11, 2019 in Derby, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

In hindsight, it was a terrible decision by Clarke to leave Leeds at that stage of his career.

He had everything going for him at Elland Road, and in Marcelo Bielsa, he also had a coach known to trust young players and develop them well.

Sadly, Clarke has only made four appearances for Tottenham’s first-team, and has never looked close to nailing down a starting role.

It’s not just him, however – so many youngsters up and down the country have to be better navigated through the world of football.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - APRIL 22:  Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa gives Jack Clarke encouragement in the closing stages
during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Leeds United at Griffin Park on April 22, 2019 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images

Just look at Patrick Roberts, who left Fulham for Manchester City as a bright young prodigy in 2015.

After just three first-team appearances for the Citizens and six loan spells away from the Etihad Stadium, he has also now joined Sunderland.

Simply put, some people in football have to do more to steer precocious talents away from the glitz and glamour of a big move early in their careers.

For now, let’s see what the Leeds fans on Twitter have been saying about Clarke’s move to Sunderland…