Why Leeds United's Jack Clarke must learn from Pablo Hernandez

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa believes winger Jack Clarke must learn from Pablo Hernandez as he takes his first steps into professional football.
Leeds United winger Jack Clarke.Leeds United winger Jack Clarke.
Leeds United winger Jack Clarke.

The 18-year-old was a half-time substitute on Tuesday evening replacing Gjanni Alioski at the break and he made an immediate impact stepping off the bench to help United topple Reading 1-0 at Elland Road with help from some late Bailey Peacock-Farrell penalty heroics.

There have been calls for the Argentine to hand the youngster his first Whites start in recent weeks after a number of substitute appearances but the 63-year-old remains staunch in his approach of managing his transition into senior games carefully.

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Bielsa, who sees his side make the trip to Bramall Lane on Saturday lunchtime for a Yorkshire derby with Sheffield United, admitted that patience was required for the his development and pinpointed one player who Clarke should be looking to learn from on the training ground at Thorp Arch if he is to fulfil his potential in West Yorkshire.

Leeds United winger Jack Clarke.Leeds United winger Jack Clarke.
Leeds United winger Jack Clarke.

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa condemns 'cheating' after issuing verdict over Gjanni Alioski dive"You evaluate the players according to the number of obstacles they overcome," Bielsa said over whether Clarke could start against the Blades this weekend.

"If you look at the first part of the second half [against Reading], Clarke did not have the same level in the second part of the second half. You always ask questions about him. What we can say is he is not impressed by high competition. He has many things to learn yet and he has to look at [Pablo] Hernandez as an example.

"Hernandez has many details Clarke can learn only by looking at him. What Pablo does, you can’t teach in the game.

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"Sometimes Pablo goes to a zone on the pitch and because he goes to that zone, he receives the ball and he puts the ball in another zone where the defensive density is lower. Who will remember this action? The fans remember the important things, not those that lead to make important things."