Gold: Pleat told Tottenham to sign star who’s now worth £100M, Levy signed Jack Clarke instead

Tottenham Hotspur once believed they had secured a future star when they signed Leeds United winger Jack Clarke in 2019.

However, Clarke’s development did not progress as expected, and his lack of impact reportedly came at the cost of not signing West Ham United’s current star, Jarrod Bowen.

The decision to pass on Bowen, now an established Premier League player, may have altered Tottenham’s trajectory, potentially shifting their success in recent years.

Tottenham signed Clarke after he made an impressive breakthrough into Leeds United’s first team during the 2018-19 season.

Despite high hopes, Clarke managed just four appearances for Tottenham, spending most of his time out on loan at clubs like Leeds, Stoke, Queens Park Rangers, and Sunderland.

It was at Sunderland where Clarke finally began to find his feet as a player. The decision to sign Clarke, however, could have been much different had the club followed the recommendation of their former scout, David Pleat.

According to Football London journalist Alisdair Gold, Pleat had advised Tottenham to sign Jarrod Bowen instead of Clarke.

On the “Gold and Guesty” podcast, Gold discussed how Pleat’s scouting expertise had led to many successful signings over the years, including the acquisition of Dele Alli.

However, in this instance, the club chose to go in a different direction, against Pleat’s advice. Gold commented:

“David Pleat has recommended some good players over the years. Dele was a big one, but there were moments when Spurs opted for other players despite Pleat’s recommendations.

One of the notable cases was when Tottenham signed Jack Clarke. Pleat had suggested Jarrod Bowen, and as we’ve seen, Bowen has become a very effective Premier League player.”

While Clarke’s career took time to flourish, Bowen has thrived in the Premier League and has become one of West Ham United’s key players.

Despite their choice to go with Clarke, Spurs fans can only wonder how different things could have been had the club followed Pleat’s suggestion and signed Bowen instead.

Bowen’s development at West Ham has been nothing short of impressive. Since joining the club from Hull City, Bowen has become a vital part of the team, helping West Ham secure their position as top-half regulars in the Premier League and even playing a key role in their Europa Conference League victory.

Clarke, meanwhile, has been one of the standout performers in the Championship over the past two seasons. His contributions for Sunderland, including nine goals and 12 assists during the 2022/23 campaign, saw him help guide the Black Cats to the Championship play-offs.

His performances earned him a move to newly-promoted Ipswich Town, where he continues to show his potential.

A Comparison of Bowen’s Premier League Statistics (2023/24):

Bowen’s success at West Ham has seen him evolve into one of the Premier League’s most consistent attackers.

His 44 Premier League goals in 162 games underscore the impact he has had on the Hammers, who have become a force to be reckoned with in English football.

As a result, Bowen has earned 12 caps for England, although he is yet to score for the national team. Nonetheless, his rise in the Premier League has made him indispensable to West Ham’s success.

Reflecting on Tottenham’s decision, it’s hard not to speculate how things could have played out differently for the club had they chosen Bowen over Clarke.

While Clarke is still young and may yet develop into a top player, Bowen has already proven himself as a game-changer for West Ham.

His contributions helped secure West Ham’s first major European trophy in decades, while Tottenham has been left without silverware since their 2008 League Cup triumph.

Bowen’s importance to West Ham has not gone unnoticed, and the club recently rewarded him with a long-term contract, ensuring he remains one of their prized assets.

If any club were to make a move for Bowen now, West Ham would reportedly demand at least £100 million for his services, a testament to how valuable he has become.

Ultimately, Tottenham’s decision to sign Jack Clarke instead of Jarrod Bowen highlights how small choices in recruitment can have significant consequences.

While Clarke still has the potential to make his mark, Bowen has already cemented his place as one of the Premier League’s top talents, making it a decision Spurs fans may look back on with some regret.

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