Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team first goal during the friendly football match between Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on July 23, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Andy Buchanan / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
On the back of his outstanding season for Sunderland, Jack Clarke has said that he does not dwell on his time at Tottenham and remains fully focused on what lies ahead.
It is fair to say that not a lot of Spurs fans were disappointed when Clarke left the club last summer to join Sunderland as the winger had failed to live up to his potential during his three years at the North London club (including during his loan spells).
However, the 22-year-old has demonstrated at the Stadium of Light this season just why he was so highly thought of as a youngster, having notched up 11 goals and 12 assists across all competitions (Transfermarkt).
It was thanks to Clarke’s displays that Sunderland clinched the final playoff spot and the former Spurs man now has the chance to fire the Black Cats into the top flight just a year on from the club’s promotion to the Championship.
In fact, reports indicate that the England Under-20 international’s displays this season have caught the attention of some Premier League clubs, with Brentford and Crystal Palace expected to battle it for his signature this summer (The Sun).
When asked to about his time at Tottenham, Clarke has now told Sunderland Echo: “I only really think about where I’m playing my football at the minute.
“Tottenham is not really in my mind anymore, to be honest. I went there, I tried it and it obviously didn’t work out for whatever reason. Now I’m fully focused on being here.”
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Clarke’s rise is a cautionary tale on why young players have to be given a long rope before you judge them as they need time to build their confidence.
The likes of Scarlett and Parrott might also struggle to make an impression on their loan spells for a year or two but if Spurs really believe in their talent, they would have to persist with them, just as they did with Kane during his younger days.
