Exclusive: Bielsa gives surprise feedback to Clarke amid Leeds freeze-out
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Exclusive: Bielsa gives surprise feedback to Clarke amid Leeds freeze-out

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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Marcelo Bielsa has surprisingly told Jack Clarke he is happy with his efforts at Leeds United and he is doing even better than last season, Football Insider can reveal.

The United manager has held one-on-one talks with Clarke after an immensely frustrating three months for the rising star.

The winger, 18, has not had a single minute of Championship action for Leeds since joining Tottenham for an initial £9.5million in the summer and then being loaned back for the season.

A Leeds source has told Football Insider that Bielsa gave Clarke the unexpected feedback in their private meeting that he had taken his game to a new level this season.

The Argentine did not question the rising star's attitude or his performance levels in training.

Instead, he urged Clarke to keep going and told him his chance will eventually come.

The United academy product secured a blockbuster move to Tottenham after earning rave reviews when he broke on to the first-team scene at Leeds last season.

He made 25 appearances, mainly as a substitute, and some dazzling performances had Premier League clubs beating a path to the Yorkshire giants' door.

Clarke has been fully fit all season but his only two matches have come in the League Cup.

In the Championship, he could not get in the matchday squad for six of the first eight matches as he fell victim to the EFL's strict rules on five loan players per 18.

Clarke has been an unused sub for the last eight league games, with Helder Costa, Jack Harrison and Pablo Hernandez ahead of him in the pecking order for the wide roles.

In other Leeds United news, it can be REVEALED that the club have agreed the terms of a £5million-plus deal.

Leeds United
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