Both Jordan Stevens and Jack Clarke have had very contrasting seasons, both of which have been incredibly disappointing and underwhelming.
However, almost in tandem, their fortunes have started improving at a similar time.
Clarke has started contributing to goals regularly for the U23s, scoring once and assisting three in a win over Bolton. Meanwhile, Stevens appeared for the senior team from the bench last Saturday.
The pair have come through a lot in 2019/20, but what the future holds remains quite unclear.
The former signed a £10m deal with Spurs last summer and was subsequently loaned back. However, he has only featured in one Championship match this season, the same number that Stevens has managed.
Out of favour and neglected, the 19-year-old Clarke was nowhere to be seen. Victim of a rule that prevented Leeds from having more than five loanees in a matchday squad, he repeatedly missed out.
As this was happening, Stevens was sat on the sidelines but all of his own accord. A six-week ban from all football activity for breaching betting regulations was handed to him.
Leeds fought hard in his case, even if Angus Kinnear deemed him to be “an idiot”, but simply helping out in a PE lesson with the club’s foundation would have broken his ban.
It was deserved punishment but it was also strange at the same time. This was a young individual who was feeling homesick and bored, so the punishment to take him away from something that occupies his mind was a peculiar way of going about things.
However, as Clarke gears up for a possible return to Spurs in January, Stevens is now waiting in the wings.
Introduced as a second-half substitute at Craven Cottage, there are reasons to believe he can be the teenager’s natural successor in the side, especially after taking his place in the squad only a few days ago.
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Since arriving from Forest Green, the 19-year-old has appeared on just two occasions. In the dying embers of the game at the weekend, he featured on the right of midfield.
A player blessed with good pace with the ball at his feet, it’s a similar characteristic to Clarke. More end product will be needed, particularly at U23 level but if his competition does indeed head back to north London, there will be an opening.
Stevens has already shown he has the desire and commitment to get himself back on track this season. For someone so young, his mentality and character have been tested but he’s come out the other side in admirable fashion.
Meanwhile, Leeds’ star man needs to do more to prove he’s worth a whopping £25m…
