Tottenham Hotspur signed Jack Clarke back in 2019.

The youngster arrived from Leeds United but the deal was something of a confusing one. Indeed, immediately after arriving, he was sent back to Elland Road on a loan deal that ultimately didn’t pan out.

Clarke only played once in the Championship as Marcelo Bielsa’s men won promotion to the Premier League and was recalled ahead of the January transfer window, when he was ultimately loaned to QPR.

He only made six appearances there, too.

Sources at the time told GIVEMESPORT that it was then-manager Mauricio Pochettino who decided against integrating Clarke into his squad, forcing chairman Daniel Levy to restructure the deal at the last minute.

Leeds were actually furious at the time, having signed his replacement, and that led to his progress stagnating.

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Football Insider now reports that Clarke, who made his full Spurs debut in the Europa League against LASK in midweek, returned to Elland Road without the proper focus or fitness.

A Leeds source has told the outlet that he did not have the same hunger he exhibited before his move to Spurs and was subsequently cast aside by Bielsa, who insists upon the highest standards from his players.

Jose Mourinho, though, is said to have been impressed by the form he has shown since his return to north London, and he plans to use him throughout the season in various cup competitions.

GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…

This is understandable.

Clarke had just earned the move of a lifetime by making the switch from Leeds to Spurs and then, all of a sudden, he was sent back from whence he came.

It is little surprise that his focus dipped and, at the very least, it looks as though he has learned from the experience and become all the better for it.

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As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how much football Clarke will get.

But it seems certain he’ll have more minutes than when he was with Leeds last season.