Former Coventry City forward Noel Whelan believes that there will be no way back for Jack Clarke at Tottenham if he cannot prove himself on loan during the second half of the season.
The winger hardly managed to get any game time during his loan spells at Leeds and QPR last season following his £10million switch from Elland Road (Football.London).
Tottenham decided against loaning him out again in the summer and the youngster has benefited as a result of the decision.
Not only has he been able to train with the first-team stars at Spurs but he has also made a couple of appearances in the Europa League for the North Londoners.
It was reported last week that Jose Mourinho is now prepared to give the 20-year-old the green light to go out on loan for the second half of the season to experience regular first team football.
Whelan believes that the spell could be make or break for Clarke on the back of what he experienced last season.
Reacting to the news, the pundit told Football Insider: “I did fear for him at Tottenham after his loan move to QPR because he was absolutely woeful, it looked like had no confidence.
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“A player that has gone for so much money, not affecting the game, not even getting in the side at QPR.
“Then you’re questioning, can he cut it in the Premier League if he can’t even do it in the championship?
“Especially after the change of manager because it was Pochetino that bought him and now it’s Mourinho, you had to ask: did he have a future there?
“Now he’s got to go out there and do it. If he doesn’t, there’s absolutely no hope he’s gonna do it at Tottenham. There’s huge pressure on his shoulders.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Tottenham should ensure that they loan Clarke to a club where he is guaranteed game time even if that means sending him to League One or the Scottish Premiership club. The most important thing for the youngster’s development at this moment is for him to get a run of games and regain his confidence.
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