Leeds United’s Jack Clarke would be wise to ignore Tottenham Hotspur’s allure for now.
It’s squeaky bum time for Leeds United fans with regards to Jack Clarke.
The January transfer window shuts on Thursday, but that is enough time for Tottenham Hotspur to swoop in and snatch the next big prospect to come out of Thorp Arch.
On Monday, The Mirror claimed that the 18-year-old winger was a target for Spurs before the window shuts.
Could a neutral fan blame him for leaving? After all, he’d be working under Mauricio Pochettino, one of the finest developers of talent going at the moment – but Clarke is already playing under the best manager in this regard.
Allegations of spying aside, Marcelo Bielsa is a phenomenal coach. Leeds look destined for the Premier League, and Bielsa for the most part has masterminded this with players he either inherited, or talents that he plucked from the development squad, like Clarke.
It’s illustrative of his coaching and man-management methods and although joining Tottenham seems like a forward move for young Clarke, it would be a backwards one.
In the space of four months, Clarke has gone from relative obscurity to being a Spurs target. Four months. Imagine his potential if Bielsa had a year with him. Leaving the Bielsa for Pochettino this early would be akin to swapping the master for the apprentice.
Pochettino, who was signed by Bielsa for Newell’s Old Boys in 1985, once said that he ‘owes everything’ to the 63-year-old, whose influence is evident in the Spurs man’s methods.
Clarke would not learn anything under Pochettino that he wouldn’t under Bielsa. Difference is, only one of them can offer regular football and that is essential for the teen.
The modern history of English football is littered with examples of players who took a huge step too soon. If Clarke wants to avoid this path then he is already at the best club.
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