Leeds United will be hoping to hold onto Jack Clarke this summer ahead of another season in the Championship.
With so many questions to be answered regarding the futures of a number of key men, it is not difficult to see why Leeds supporters may still be struggling to come to terms with their agonising play-off semi-final defeat.
If they can hold onto the likes of Marcelo Bielsa, Pontus Jansson, Kalvin Phillips and Kemar Roofe, the Whites will go into next season in a fantastic position. But every one of that quartet will undoubtedly be hugely disappointed that Leeds will not be a Premier League club when the new campaign kicks off.
Of course, that is the same for everyone associated with the Whites: the fans, those behind the scenes and the rest of the squad. However, perhaps there is one player within the squad who may benefit from staying in the second tier.
Jack Clarke is a special talent and Leeds will do well to hold onto him this summer – Tottenham have already made a £10 million bid, according to the Daily Mail.
But after being taken ill at Middlesbrough in February, Clarke struggled to recapture the magic that he had shown during his first few months in the first-team where he produced a number of game-changing performances from off the bench.
Staying in the Championship gives Clarke a better opportunity to rediscover his best form and establish himself as a regular starter in Bielsa’s lineup, especially as Leeds should win a lot more games next term than they would have done had they gone up.
He can perfect his game further, regain his confidence and get back to gliding past full-backs with ease, ready to head to the Premier League in 12 months, whether that be with Leeds or not.
Of course, it is no consolation for not being promoted, particularly as Clarke arguably had the potential to be an immediate success in the top flight anyway had Leeds gone up.
But perhaps one more run on the Championship stage could be a blessing in disguise as Clarke looks to establish himself as Leeds’ leading man.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
