Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes that Jack Clarke will struggle to find Championship clubs that are willing to take him on loan next season on the back of his disappointing showing during his two loan spells last season.
Clarke failed to make an impact either at Leeds or QPR last season, with Some Spurs fans understandably worried about his lack of game time.
The teenager has shown glimpses of his quality during Tottenham’s pre-season games this summer, with reports indicating that Jose Mourinho may give him an opportunity with the first-team (Evening Standard).
Whelan believes that the winger needs to go out on another loan for the first half of next season in order to get games under his belt but he suggested that clubs may not be willing to take the youngster.
When asked if the winger could be set for another loan spell away from North London next season, Whelan told Football Insider: “When you look at your higher-end teams they might feel he’s got a point to prove and take that risk.
“It might be a loan until Christmas then maybe take him for the full season.
“I think teams will be reluctant because you’ve got to pay quite a lot of money out for a loan player and that loan player has got to bring something to the party and last year he didn’t.
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“So yes, of course, teams are going to be sceptical of whether he can find that form that he had at Leeds United before he got sold because he certainly didn’t have it when he came back on loan.
“That is the problem. I don’t think it’s that he doesn’t have the talent, I think it might be an attitude thing that’s still adjusting because he’s still very young.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Clarke’s confidence clearly took a hit during his loan spells last season and it is up to the club to ensure he goes somewhere where he gets sufficient game time to build his confidence back up again. Unless Whelan is privy to some information we are not through his Leeds connections, I do not understand how he can point to issues with the teenager’s attitude.
I personally want to see Clarke being loaned out to either Celtic or Rangers in the first half of the season as I believe he will enjoy running at defenders in the Scottish top flight. If he does well, we can potentially think about sending him to a Championship club again in the second half of the season. The most important thing for the winger is to get games under his belt.
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