OPINION
Leeds United have had some success in clearing the pathway from youth to senior team this year.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell is the most notable graduate of the improving academy, while Tom Pearce and James Shackleton are also regular members of the matchday 18 under Marcelo Bielsa.
The next player to make the leap from the youth ranks to the first team must surely be hugely exciting forward Jack Clarke.
The 17-year-old, who snubbed Manchester City last year to pen his first professional contract with Leeds, has made a huge impression for the Under-23s in 2018 after making the leap from the Under-18s look ludicrously easy.
Darting in from the left flank for Carlos Corberan’s side, Clarke has destroyed opposition defences with his pace, directness and trickery.
He has set up plenty of goals and scored them, too, including a double in the Under-23s’ 2-1 win at Cardiff City on Monday. Teammate Will Huffer subsequently dubbed him a “goal machine” on Twitter.
Little wonder Leeds fans are getting so excited about the potential of the wonderkid, as these tweets demonstrate:
Well played young man first team beckoning good luck MOT.
— R.Cartwright ??? (@rogercart57) September 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/samuelgallaghe2/status/1036666403942752257
Baller!! Keep it up you will be giving MB something to think about!
— hugehugegameforthem (@ellisnoah0101) September 3, 2018
Fantastic!! Keep up Jack will see you soon banging them in #ALAW #MOT
— Mark Mortimer (@morti59) September 3, 2018
Yes lad ??
— Lenny Mason (@Lenaldo9) September 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/BennyTaylsLUFC/status/1036652933209907201
You are my favourite player. Don't mention this to the others. Especially Gaetano.
— Dr.T (@DoctorT1992) September 3, 2018
United supporters are absolutely right about Clarke’s potential.
You can bet your life that Corberan, who has already emerged as a close ally of Bielsa, will have delivered the full lowdown on the youngster to the man who picks the first team.
The Argentine alchemist will have a firm view of when he thinks Clarke might be ready, and will not be afraid of backing him fully when that time comes.
It is surely inevitable that the young attacker, who does not turn 18 until November, will get a taste of the first team before too long.