Tottenham made to rue more Paratici decisions as Jack Clarke shines

Cristian Stellini criticises Tottenham for failing to hold on against Everton

Since the news of Fabio Paratici being handed a ban by FIFA, the Tottenham director of football’s decisions has come under the magnifying glass. The Italian has recruited several underwhelming stars over the past few transfer windows, though his decision to sell Jack Clarke also appears to have been a questionable one.

The 22-year-old was signed by Spurs in 2019 from Leeds after his breakthrough campaign in the Championship, joining for a fee of approximately £10million. However, he struggled during the four loan spells that ensued, showing clear signs of potential but with his end product leaving plenty to be desired.

Clarke made 17 appearances on loan at Sunderland in their promotion from League 1 before Black Cats managed to strike a deal to sign the winger permanently over the summer. Football.London revealed that Spurs would receive a ‘low fee’ for the forward but add-ons could see the club receive close to what they initially forked out for his services, with his contract at the time set to expire at the end of this season and a renewal not truly considered.

However, that now looks like it will be an absolute steal following his impressive performance against Hull on Friday night. Clarke was involved in all four of his side’s goals in a 4-4 draw in a display that underlined the clear potential that Tottenham have let depart.

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The England under-20 international assisted Joe Gelhardt’s opener and Amad Diallo’s goal just a minute later in an action-packed first half. Clarke then won a penalty in the 71st minute – which Diallo converted – before finally getting on the scoresheet himself to put Tony Mowbray’s side in front with nine minutes to spare.

The forward has now scored eight and assisted eight in 39 Championship performances despite coming under fire in periods of the season for failing to be more clinical – indicating that there is more to come from the former Leeds star and suggesting that a new contract would have been the wise move by Spurs rather than a sale.

In contrast, Bryan Gil is still struggling to make his mark out on loan at Sevilla. Despite concrete interest over the summer and in the January transfer window, Paratici retained faith in the Spain international in a decision that indicates that he believes that the forward still has a future at the club despite hardly featuring under ex-manager Antonio Conte.

Gil has scored one and assisted two in nine La Liga appearances since heading back to his homeland, though his performances in the Premier League previously consistently prompted questions about whether he is truly capable of making it in the English top flight.

Only time will tell whether selling Clarke instead of Gil was the right decision by Paratici, though the differing levels of progress shown by both players this season suggests that Tottenham could look back on the situation and question why there was an urgency to offload one rather than the other.

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