Leeds United fans should be prepared for one thing as we near the January transfer window – almost endless speculation surrounding the immediate futures of loanees Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Ben White (Brighton and Hove Albion) and Jack Clarke (Tottenham Hotspur).
All three players have already long featured on the rumour mill when it comes to the potential for them to be recalled by their parent clubs in the New Year, but in reality, the only question mark is over our former Academy graduate Clarke, simply because of the game time he’s getting.
White, in all likelihood, only goes back if Brighton receive a permanent fee they can’t refuse and given his involvement, albeit as a substitute so far, I’m pretty sure Arsenal will be pleased with how Nketiah is progressing, so it’s highly unlikely they would want to parachute him into new surroundings where he’d need to settle in.
It is what it is though and former player Noel Whelan has again added to the noise about the trio – albeit I do generally agree with his thoughts.
“Losing the loan players in January is a big fear for Leeds. The parent clubs have all the power. We could lose Jack Clarke as he’s not played at all and Tottenham are likely to take him back and send him out on loan to another Championship club, where he can play more regularly. Obviously, the Nketiah one has been talked about a lot as he’s made a big impact but is still waiting for his first Championship start. Ben White is different as he’s played every game. The worry is not so much that Brighton will want him back, but that big Premier League clubs will make them an offer they can’t refuse.”
If You Could Only Keep One, Who Would It Be?
Eddie Nketiah
Ben White
Jack Clarke
We can only see what January brings, but with the presumption we’ll still be more than in the battle for promotion, that’ll be an experience all three clubs would want their players to go through, so it actually plays in our favour.
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