Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan believes Jack Clarke is nowhere near breaking into the Tottenham first-team and has to do a lot more to make the grade in North London.
Clarke was snapped up by Spurs from Leeds United for around £10 million last summer (The Sun) after an impressive debut season in the Championship at Elland Road.
He was subsequently loaned back to Marcelo Bielsa’s side but hardly saw any game time during the first half of the campaign.
The 19-year-old was recalled by Spurs in January and loaned to QPR for the remainder of the campaign.
His time at Rangers has not gone according to plan either so far, with the winger having made just one start for Mark Warburton’s side before the coronavirus pandemic hit (transfermarkt).
Whelan warned the youngster that he could soon be a forgotten man if he does not dig deep and work hard next season.
Speaking to Football Insider, the former Leeds star said: “His progression has been very slow. We saw the peak of that at Leeds United.
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“Things happened very quickly for him. He went to a big club for a big amount of money and, in Tottenham’s eyes, he is one for the future.
“He has not done it at QPR, they were disappointed and wanted more. He has a lot of thinking to do.
“Jack is miles off the Tottenham side. He will go out on loan next year but to be successful, and be the player we thought he was going to be, he needs to have a really long look at himself.
“He needs to get the bit between his teeth and prove a point to people. At the moment, he is dwindling away. People have forgotten about him.
“There is a player there but at the moment he is a bench player.”
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Clarke’s confidence clearly seems to have taken a hit following his loan spell at Leeds. Young players like Clarke who like to get on the ball and take players on usually thrive on confidence and self-belief. Hopefully, Mourinho can help restore some of Clarke’s lost belief when the teenager returns to Spurs for pre-season.
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