On Friday evening Leeds United’s Under 23 side took to the Elland Road pitch to face Bristol City in the Professional Development League campaign of 2018/19.
Jack Clarke v Bristol City #U23s #LUFC pic.twitter.com/ohsgTkxYzZ
— #WALMOT (@WALM0T33) September 7, 2018
Leeds took an extremely comfortable 5-0 victory on the day, aided by a stronger lineup with a number of senior players given a run out for fitness purposes. Goals came from Patrick Bamford, Callum Nicell, Jack Clarke, Jordan Stevens and Robbie Gotts.
Although we had Bamford, Jamal Blackman, Lewis Baker and Jack Harrison on show, the clear star of the 90 minutes was once again Clarke, who has already received significant praise amongst the fan base so far for his performances at this level and many believe it will only be a matter of time before manager Marcelo Bielsa gives him his first senior bow.
got a cracking player on our hands in Jack Clarke
— _ (@harry_boyes3) September 7, 2018
Jack Clarke is a baller.. Remember the name #LUFC
— ROSSii (@MrROSSii1990) September 7, 2018
Jack Clarke can’t be far off the first team now #lufc
— Eden (@edenjharris) September 7, 2018
Baller
— Marcelo Bielsa (@BielsaFTBL) September 7, 2018
Jack Clarke aceing a match that includes Bamford, Harrison, etc. Can't wait to see this kid get his chance. #lufc
— Mike (@LeedsMJ84) September 7, 2018
Jack Clarke is actually unreal
— Dyl (@leedsaway) September 7, 2018
Jesus christ Jack Clarke what a goal that is #lufc
— Jack Pearson (@JackTPearson) September 7, 2018
Jack Clarke – two assists and a goal inside 25 minutes. The lads going to be a big star. #LUFC
— Marcelo Bielsa Fan Account (@DistractedLeeds) September 7, 2018
Get Jack Clarke in the first team set up pronto, sending defenders for hotdogs all over the gaff #lufc #mot
— Jack Stanworth (@JackStannyy) September 7, 2018
Jack Clarke is class.
— Harry (@Harry_KelIy) September 7, 2018
Jack Clarke is honestly going to be star, phenomenal talent #lufc
— Jack Pearson (@JackTPearson) September 7, 2018
The 17-year-old youth Academy graduate is definitely winning friends amongst the faithful and for those who closely follow the clubs’ social media feed they will have seen him come in for heavy praise from games already this season, and this latest performance is just proof that’s it’s not a flash in the pan from here – he’s adding some real consistency to his game at that level so it can only be a matter of time before he gets a taste of a higher one.
Being a regular at U23 level, whilst aged only 17 should tell its own story about his potential.