Jack Clarke has been in magnificent form for Sunderland this season and this is demonstrated by him bettering Kylian Mbappe across one attacking statistic.
Clarke starred once more on Saturday as he helped Sunderland grab an important 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion to move back into the play-off positions.
It was the first match in the new era and although they don’t have an appointment to show for it yet, the 23-year-old showed the talent his next manager has to work with.
Whilst he didn’t grab a goal or an assist against the Baggies, he was a constant threat down the left flank.
Every time he picked up the ball, he performed in typical Clarke fashion, using his speed and skill to glide past his opponents and draw fouls.
This was evidenced by him completing four of his five attempted dribbles and registering three shots on goal, as per Sofascore.
Clarke is a dribble demon, whose first thought is to beat a man and manipulate the ball into a dangerous area.
In the Championship this term, he’s been one of the best in the world at committing defenders and driving into the penalty box.
Jack Clarke has completed more carries into the box than Kylian Mbappe this season
Clarke’s forward-thinking and dynamic performances from wide have seen him rival some of the world’s best.
With 96 carries into the penalty area, he beats Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku (61), Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski (57) and even PSG’s Kylian Mbappe.
The fact he’s bettering Mbappe, in particular, just demonstrates how dangerous he is in the final third and why several Premier League clubs want to sign him.
It’s his frightening dribbling that have seen him win games single-handedly for Sunderland this term and many believe he can make the step up to the Premier League.
However, if the Black Cats are to fulfil their promotion ambitions themselves, they have to hold onto their prized possession.
Clarke can fire Sunderland to promotion
Clarke doesn’t just possess an ability to glide past his opponents, he can also supply an end product too, and this is what sets him apart from other wingers in the division.
The Englishman has plundered ten goals in 20 Championship appearances, predominantly from the left flank, which suggests how clinical he is when the opportunities arise.
Once lauded as a “super talent” by his former boss Tony Mowbray, Clarke’s development under the watchful eye of the veteran was truly phenomenal.
It’s now down to the next manager to use that as a springboard to develop him even further and allow him the positional freedom to fire the Black Cats to promotion.