‘He could play a bit-part role’ – Robinson on whether Spurs youngster needs to be loaned out

Paul Robinson believes that the upcoming season will be a crucial one for Jack Clarke irrespective of whether he stays at Tottenham Hotspur or goes out on loan.

Clarke had a meteoric rise during the 2018/19 season as he broke into the Leeds first-team and his performances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side saw Spurs pay £10million to bring him to North London last summer.

He was subsequently loaned back to Leeds last season but barely got a look in at Elland Road.

It was hoped that a loan to QPR in the second half of the season might help rekindle the winger’s form but Clarke hardly managed to get minutes under his belt for the Hoops either (transfermarkt).

The 19-year-old has played a part in all three of Tottenham’s pre-season friendlies so far and reports indicate that Jose Mourinho could be prepared to give him a chance with the Spurs first-team(Evening Standard).

Robinson believes that while he could play a bit-part role for the Lilywhites next season, another loan spell might do the youngster’s development a lot of good.

When asked what Spurs should do with Clarke next season, the former Tottenham number one told Football Insider: “Jack Clarke needs to start playing regular football.

“When he came back to Leeds he was unfit. He then went back to Spurs under a new manager, was sent out on loan to QPR and that did not work out.

“This is a very important season for him. I cannot see him playing every week but he could play a bit-part role.

“He may take another loan to a bottom-half Premier League or top Championship side. Whatever happens, it is a really important season for him and his own development.”

Spurs Web Opinion

If reports that we are looking to sign another winger this summer are true, then I do not see how Clarke gets more than a handful of minutes for us next season even in the Europa League and the domestic cup competitions. So there is no question that loaning the winger out again would be the best option for his development.

The last thing the youngster needs is another season on the sidelines and so we must ensure that he gets a certain guaranteed number of starts whichever club he is loaned out to. That would be difficult at a Premier League side or a top-half Championship side. So, the youngster might have to go a little lower down the ladder next season to prove himself.

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