Pundit Noel Whelan has suggested that Tottenham Hotspur winger Jack Clarke may not have a future at the club, amid suggestions he could be farmed out on loan again in 2021/22.

The Lowdown: Spurs face an intriguing 2021/22 season

Looking towards 2021/22, Spurs fans will be desperate to see how newly appointed Nuno Espirito Santo sculpts his squad, as they look to challenge for qualification to one of Europe's elite competition this time around.

Acquiring high-profile signings will be important to this, but development of current players will also be a crucial factor in Nuno's progression at the club.

Despite this, one man who former striker Whelan believes may not be a part of this process is 20-year-old Clarke

The Latest: Whelan questions Clarke as he gets set to depart on loan

Clarke looks set to be sent out on loan for the forthcoming campaign unless he works his way into Nuno's plans come pre-season [Alasdair Gold, Football London].

Speaking about the prospects of the tricky winger in an interview with Football Insider, Whelan stated: “I’m not sure if he has a future at Tottenham.

“The fact that he keeps getting sent out on loan suggests to me that he doesn’t have a long-term future there. It is a really difficult one.

“He was fantastic for Leeds but you could see that there were a few frailties in his game. The big question was whether he could make that step up to the top flight so early in his career.

“He has loads of talent but sometimes the mental side of the game is more important than a step-over. You need to work tirelessly every day and put yourself in a position where the manager cannot ignore you.

“Another season where the pressure is on. He needs to prove that he is good enough to play for Tottenham.

“Right now is crunch time for him. You cannot keep going out on loan every season.”

The Verdict: Loan move is not the end

Whelan correctly points out the pressures players need to come under in order to succeed at the highest level of football, but that doesn't mean the youngster is running out of time in north London.

In 2020/21, he made a combined 25 appearances for Spurs, Spurs Under-23’s and Stoke City, who he spent the second half of the campaign on loan with. He registered five goal contributions; two goals and three assists [Transfermarkt].

Age is still on his side though and he has lots of time to develop into a top-class asset - every player develops at a different rate.

All things considered, frequent first-team football may suit the Englishman best and if Nuno likes what he sees from afar then another temporary move could be what pushes Clarke into the manager's plans in 2022.

In other news, Tottenham have opened talks with a 28-year-old defender.