Clarke or Harrison: Potential Bielsa conundrum a no-brainer looking at these stats – opinion

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

At the beginning of this transfer window Marcelo Bielsa reportedly made it very clear that he wanted to strengthen the wide positions of his squad, and Leeds have very quickly answered their boss’ wishes.

Jack Harrison returned to the club on loan and the Whites retained the services of Jack Clarke for another season, bringing him back on loan after selling him to Spurs.

These two arrivals provide the Argentine with something of a selection headache as the two wingers will be competing for the same spot.

Bielsa will have to make a decision as to which youngster he opts for on the left-wing, but a look at both players’ stats show that the decision should be an easy one.

Both men were competing for game time at Leeds last season, and while Harrison was the preferred option, Clarke was clearly the more impressive player.

In terms of providing an attacking threat, it’s hard to argue that the teenager isn’t the better option.

He averages 0.8 more shots per 90 minutes than the Man City man and he also averages almost double the number of key passes.

Harrison’s goal contribution numbers last season weren’t great as he scored four and assisted three. Clarke found the net twice and assisted a further two goals, but he did play over 1,800 minutes less than his older counterpart.

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The dribbles per 90 mins stat is where the real difference between the players is on show.

Spurs’ new man made on average 3.4 more dribbles per 90 minutes than the former NYCFC man. Despite the 18-year-old’s tendency to run with the ball he somehow rarely loses it as Harrison is in fact dispossessed more times per 90 than Clarke even though he seemingly has a more conservative style of play.

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