Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has shown that he can develop and work with youngsters, and make them top-level, world-class players. The Argentinian has not signed too many players over the last few transfer windows, but that might change this summer.
One young player that has been linked with a move to Spurs is Leeds United’s 18-year-old winger Jack Clarke, who made his first-team debut in the 2018-19 season, going on to make 25 appearances in the season and scoring 2 goals in the process.
The teenager has come through the Leeds United academy, and was a given a chance after impressing manager Marcelo Bielsa.
According to Daily Mail, Spurs have made a £10 million bid for Clarke, who has attracted several clubs after his breakthrough performances this season.
Could Clarke be a good prospect for Pochettino?
The initial impressions suggest that Clarke could be a signing with a lot of potential. The right-footed player has mostly played on the left wing, but has also featured on the right side.
The 6’2″ player has a lot of pace, which allows him to get past defenders, while he also likes to use flicks and tricks to get past the opposition.
Clarke has shown that he can go on the outside or inside, being unpredictable with the ball at his feet. Although his defending is not the best, he has shown improvement under Bielsa over the season.
A manager like Pochettino could mould Clarke to become a better player, while playing around quality players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, or Christian Eriksen will only make him better.
Pochettino has used the likes of Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, and even Moussa Sissoko out wide, but all three have played on the right side, while the manager has fewer options on the left side of midfield.
Clarke could be a useful player to bring off the bench, and his first few years, if he joins Spurs, will be to understand the league and the players at Spurs before he can become a first-team regular.
Bielsa predominantly used Clarke as an impact player before handing him a run of starts, but unfortunately the teenager could not end the season on a high after collapsing on the sidelines in Leeds’ clash against Middlesbrough in February.
Young players need time and patience to develop, and Pochettino has shown that he can do it, so someone like Clarke would be one for the future.