Would have had a year less on his contract so less of a risk, if he stayed with us and had another good season and kept fit (all ifs buts maybes) he’d have had a better choice of clubs imho if he had signed a contract extension with us I agree he’d have less options though.
If I was Clarke I’d be having a word with my agent.
Harte will be to busy rolling in his 15% cut of his cash too care.... penny of clarkes thoughts...from being a star player to understudy to szmodics... and only getting 20 minutes run outs
At the end of the day it’s the player that says go/no go. This was Clarke's decision and his alone.
And in a way we have the opportunity to develop mundle and Watson ... both are raw but have big opportunities.
Yes you can point to extenuating circumstances for Clarke and Stewart from Sunderland’s point of view. But I don’t wish ill on players that move away for that reason.
Its worked out for us on that too as Clarke would have been our main guy again this season, Watson would have probably been loaned out if we didn't sell Clarke as we would have needed 2 injuries for him to get any time in his position. Worked out for Clarke on his bank balance too and really thats all that matters when you decide if its a good move for him as come Monday (hopefully it doesn't happen) he could get tackled in training and never play again.
Added to the fact that we'd always be waiting for him to go ... I'd be very surprised if this is very bittersweet....that he might be very richer...but poorer for not being played and not being the main guy. Both of which must be hard to swallow
Don't think you can underestimate the age thing though. Off the top of my head I can only think of Watkins to have moved to the Premier League from the Championship aged 24 or over in recent years. And that was on the back of a 25 goal season. Quite a few have moved around the age of 22 but if they're taking a punt on a Championship player who is unproven in the Prem that tends to be as old as they go.
All ifs and buts ..maybe a bit deeper thought about the club he was joining and hang on and have a good start to the season with ourselves and one or 2 premier league clubs on the look out in January ...capable of surviving in that league and a better proposition than one destined to struggle. Why purchase Clarke and play him in an unfamiliar position in a struggling side. Financially our gain and to the benefit of 2 of our younger players but can't help think he had Financial blinkers on joining Ipswich
Whilst I don’t disagree I think that’s mainly due to premier league teams buying up anyone who looks decent before they get to 24. Clarke was just lucky he bounced back after being unwanted by Spurs most probably won’t do that. As others have said it’s not been terrible for us with Mundle and Watson stepping up.
He’s a 1v1 dribbler and uses space well due to his pace.
