OPINION
Tottenham may be aware that they need to sign more homegrown players, but Mauricio Pochettino is “not fully convinced” by Leeds United attacker Jack Clarke, which should be good news for the Elland Road faithful.
The London Evening Standard reported on Tuesday that Clarke has not impressed Pochettino enough for the Spurs boss to sign him this month despite the Premier League club worrying about the high number of overseas players in their squad.
Clarke has been enjoying a breakthrough season in West Yorkshire this season and has quickly emerged as a fan favourite.
The 18-year-old attacker has made 15 first team appearances in all competitions for the Whites and scored his first and second goals for the club in Championship games against Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
His impact off the bench has been second-to-none at Elland Road this term and the possibility of keeping hold of him for the rest of the season is going to be a major boost for Marcelo Bielsa, especially as Football Insider reported that Tottenham have been tabling bids for the teenage ace.
It is understood that Leeds have sent a message to the Premier League side too, telling them that they will not entertain offers for Clarke, even though the Times has claimed that he is potentially worth a huge £15million.
Clarke could be worth much more than that in the future if Leeds are promoted to the Premier League this season and he stays in Bielsa’s first team plans.
He is definitely better off staying put even if Pochettino did want him, but this surprising stance by the Argentine is one that should be music to the ears of many Leeds supporters.
Clarke might not be the most important player in the Whites’ bid for promotion this term, but every time he comes off the bench he seems like he is going to pull off something magical.
That game-changing quality and ability to turn games on their head could be what Bielsa needs to take the Yorkshire giants back to the big-time.