It is no secret that West Ham United manager David Moyes loves to sign Championship players and develop them in the Premier League. The likes of Tim Cahill and Joleon Lescott thrived during Moyes's time at Everton, and these players had played in the second tier of English football for some time.
West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen has excelled since he came to the Premier League four years ago, and the next player who could follow in his footsteps is Sunderland's Jack Clarke. Clarke had a goal of playing in the top flight when he joined Tottenham Hotspur as a teenager, but he was instead loaned out and did not get the opportunity he craved.
Sunderland gave Clarke a chance to fully prove his worth, and he has done just that. The 23-year-old winger is on the radar of many top-flight clubs right now, and West Ham should aim to be in the running as well.
QUICK FACTS
Name | Jack Raymond Clarke |
|---|---|
Age | 23 |
Nationality | English |
Place of Birth | York, England |
Club | Sunderland |
Position | Winger |
Honours | League One playoffs: 2022/23 |
BIOGRAPHY
Born and raised in Yorkshire, Clarke was a member of Leeds United's academy and began to train with the first team in 2017. It was around this time that Manchester City attempted to contact Leeds regarding Clarke's availiability, but then-Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen decided against playing Clarke in an attempt to keep the player focused on the club.
Clarke played 22 games during the 2018/19 before he moved to Tottenham Hotspur. He was loaned back to Leeds for a short stint, and he later joined Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City on loan. Sunderland also signed him on loan in early 2022, making the transfer permanent soon after.
Since he made the move to the North East, Clarke has scored 21 goals in 70 games and grown on Sunderland supporters. He was also a regular for the England U20 team.
STYLE OF PLAY
Sunderland fans regard Clarke as a versatile player due to his two-footed ability and being able to play on either side of the field. He shows strong dribbling, as well as finishing, which has helped him to be a productive player for his team. Occasionally, he can play in a centre-forward role.
Clarke is able to change the flow of the play with his agility and quick thinking, and this in turn makes him difficult to mark. This style allows him to free more easily with the ball and to continue to threaten opponents. Sunderland fans have added that consistency has helped the winger to settle down at the Stadium of Light, and his form has grown due to him finding regular game time in the Championship.
The writers of Roker Roundtable - Sunderland's fanbase website - have said that Clarke "plays to the point where he gets you off your seat." They further added that the player improved a lot under Tony Mowbray's management.