COMMENT
Jack Clarke must be fast-tracked into the Leeds United squad for their clash against Millwall next week.
The brilliant Elland Road 17-year-old has torn defences to shreds while in action for the Under-23s this year after making the step up from Under-18s look ridiculously easy.
Now Marcelo Bielsa should go a step further and promote Clarke into the matchday 18 for the daunting trip to the New Den.
Few Leeds fans need to be reminded how the team’s descent down the Championship began with a 1-0 defeat after the September international break last year.
There is hope that Bielsa’s team are built on firmer foundations and a playing style that won’t crack when up against shrewd and battle-hardened opponents.
Clarke demonstrated his excellent form with a double in Leeds Under-23s’ 2-1 win against Cardiff City on Monday as Carlos Corberan’s side secured another Professional Development League triumph.
The wonderkid then revealed afterwards that the youth team are playing in the same style and using the same tactics as the senior side.
“It has been a very good start to the season, but it is due to all of our hard work in pre-season, we are working off the first team philosophy and it is working for them and working for us,” Clarke told the official Leeds website.
This tactical nugget proves that Bielsa need not fear that the rising star would struggle to fit in to the first team.
Clarke is a dazzling attacker with the pace, directness, trickery and eye for goal that could add another dimension for the Championship pace setters.
With Tyler Roberts, who was an unused substitute against Middlesbrough last weekend, struggling for form and fitness, he should make way for a red-hot fellow teen.