Sunderland AFC factor should ease Ipswich Town fears over Jack Clarke | OneFootball

Jack Clarke has hardly set the world alight since arriving at Ipswich Town, but he experienced similar woes before coming to life at Sunderland

It is safe to say that Jack Clarke has not quite been at his scintillating best since arriving at Portman Road this summer. Ipswich Town fans would certainly have been hoping for more from the Englishman after a blistering season at Sunderland in the Championship. However, one key statistic may ease their fears over the winger's abilities.

Clarke has only registered one assist in nine appearances since moving to the top flight for £15 million, but he had a near-identical record after his first nine games at Sunderland. After three very successful seasons with the Black Cats, it is clear that Clarke may just need some time to settle before he returns to top form.

Jack Clarke also started slowly at Sunderland

Jack Clarke moved to Sunderland on loan from Tottenham in the January 2022 transfer window. Clarke was only 21 at the time, and it took the winger some time to settle down.

His first goal came at home to Fleetwood Town in League One, a last minute strike to seal a 3-1 win. This was his first goal contribution for the club, and it was registered in his ninth appearance.

Similarly, Clarke has also registered only one direct goal involvement in his first nine games at his new club. This came in the form of an assist for Liam Delap's first goal in the club's 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa.

Arriving in League One at 21, after a series of poor loans after leaving Leeds for Tottenham, would have placed a lot of pressure on Clarke's shoulders, similar to the presumed experience of moving to the Premier League in a big money transfer. There are no doubts over Clarke's potential to light up the top flight, he just may need some time to slot into Kieran McKenna's system and adjust to a new league.

Jack Clarke came good at Sunderland

A quick glance at Clarke's statistics in his final season at Sunderland reveals a great deal about his technical attributes and ability.

First and foremost, his ability to score goals from the wing is exceptional. 15 strikes in 40 games off the left, with 0.34 Expected Goals on Target per 90 minutes, is an excellent return from the wide man. It shows that, as a right-footed individual, Clarke is able to take full advantage of the chance to cut inside and test the goalkeeper.

Furthermore, his dribbling stands out as a cut above the rest. Clarke completed 3.8 dribbles per 90 minutes in his final season with the Black Cats, which saw him fall in the top percentile of all wingers, and thus earmark him as arguably the league's best dribbler.

Combine this with the fact the Englishman racked up 0.25 xA per match, and his four assists seems a pretty meagre return. Had Sunderland enjoyed a better season in front of goal, it is highly likely that Clarke's assist tally would have come close to matching his 15 instances of finding the net.

Jack Clarke needs time at Ipswich Town

It is evident that Clarke possesses the necessary quality needed to succeed at the top level, as he was able to become a standout performer for Sunderland in a season in which they finished 16th in the table.

Electric dribbling and an eye for goal, these are unquestionably characteristics which will cause defenders nightmares in the Premier League. It is just a matter of allowing Clarke the time to settle, and enabling him free rein to utilise his best attributes.

With only three starts this season, it can hardly be argued that Clarke has been given much of a chance to impress so far. The winger should hopefully settle with time as McKenna's side become more accustomed to the top division, just as he did at Sunderland after a turbulent few years. Then, everyone may be able to see the true potential of the wide man who was lighting up the second tier merely a season prior. It's not the time for Ipswich to be panicking.