Carlton Palmer believes Sunderland will sell a fan favorite in January
According to Football League World, the analyst believes Jack Clarke would quit the club following Tony Mowbray’s dismissal.
Tony Mowbray joined Sunderland in August 2022 and is well-known for his outstanding work with young players, changing the likes of Jack Clarke, Dan Ballard, and Trai Hume from young players to Premier League caliber stars.
There was always fear that the Black Cats wouldn’t be able to find a replacement who knew exactly how to help out the young youngsters like Mowbray did, but after sacking the 60-year-old earlier this week, the club were willing to take the risk and find out.
One player that did particularly well under Mowbray was Jack Clarke, who has netted 10 goals in 19 games this season and looks set to be the subject of multiple transfer bids in January from the likes of Burnley, Brentford and Crystal Palace.
While Sunderland had previously turned down bids and appeared to be fighting to keep Clarke beyond January with a new contract, Carlton Palmer believes Mowbray’s departure may now invite the winger to leave as well.
“The departure of Tony Mowbray from Sunderland will cast doubts on the futures of several of the young players who thrived under him,” Palmer stated in a statement.
“One such player is Jack Clarke, who thrived under Mowbray after falling out of favor.”
“Clarke was the subject of several offers over the summer that were turned down because the amount was not believed to be what Sunderland was looking for.”
“He is one player I believe will leave in January because this is the club’s model – buy young players as cheaply as possible, develop them, and sell them for a profit.”
“Mowbray was against this, he wanted a balance of youth and experience and the opportunity to take the club further than last year’s play-offs, he wanted to get them promoted to the Premier League.”
Are Sunderland crazy enough to let Jack Clarke leave in January?
While Jack Clarke and Tony Mowbray clearly got along well, and the former manager may have played a role in the youngster staying at the club, I would be shocked if we were willing to let him go in January.
Kristjaan Speakman is the man in charge of transfer choices, and I doubt there would be discussions about tying Clarke down to a new contract if that wasn’t what the club wanted.
While I do expect Sunderland to sell up if we don’t get promoted this season, it would certainly be a huge mistake if Clarke was to leave in January. I also think he would want to stay for the second half of the campaign if there was the possibility of helping us return to the Premier League.
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