Can Sunderland hold on to the Championship leading scorer Jack Clarke in January?
Tony Mowbray is asking the question because winger Clarke is their stand out Premier League quality star.. and the one who got away for table topping Tottenham Hotspur.
Clarke, 22, has nine goals so far this season - albeit four are penalty kicks - and his close quarters dribbling, incisive passes and lung busting appetite for running have him on the radar of top flight clubs.
What is he worth? Well, in the summer Burnley failed with bids ranging form an insulting £5m up to £10m - which is what Spurs paid Leeds for him four years ago. And after 12 goals last term and 59 Sunderland appearances he’s worth up to three times that now.
Mowbray wants to build a promotion campaign, not sell. And ex chairman Bob Murray said recently that he is convinced owner Kyril Louis Dreyfus won’t flog a star who is key to a Premier League push.
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Instead Mowbray is seeking even more improvement, including getting Clarke to watch videos of Thierry Henry cutting inside and passing the ball into the net with “no backlift” for his next trick.
Clarke scored a penalty and made Dan Neil’s goal as Sunderland beat a demoralised looking Norwich, and Mowbray said: “He is a wonderful talent. We had bids for him and we will have to see what the club’s thought patterns are in January?
"How many can he get this season? If we can play really positive like we are now and have attacking moments, then Jack is devastating.
Jack Clarke celebrates his goal against Norwich (MI News/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)“He has a huge aerobic capacity to keep running. He can run fast all day. A huge attribute for any footballer. He will keep scoring and hurting teams and mixing his game up. I hope he is enjoying his football and the club can do everything they can to keep him here for a successful season.
“On the back of last year, in the summer we talked: You have to get 70 goals to make the playoffs. Amad (Diallo) had gone. Who will score them? Ross (Stewart) was moved on. I didn’t think Clarke could get near his contribution last season on 12. He is already on nine.
“He has a lovely personality. He has opinions on football. He does listen. It is amazing how close he keeps the ball to his foot. He is a nice lad. He is a stereotypical footballer, messes with his hair and shorts and boots and comes in in fancy tracksuits and shoes!”
“I like Patrick Roberts too, can Patrick start to put some in the net too and compete with him for goals. He needs to add goals. Hopefully the goals come from both sides of the pitch. Maybe then we can get to 70.”
City boss David Wagner is under pressure after one point in five games and says questions about his future are fair. “This is the life of a football manager.”
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