Backed by Andrea Pirlo but Jack Harrison just blew his last chance at Leeds United

By Mathew Nash

There was plenty of excitement around at Leeds United when they snapped up Jack Harrison on loan from Manchester City. The talented winger looked like a very good signing for the West Yorkshire side.

He had come with high recommendations. The likes of Frank Lampard and David Villa were former team-mates at New York City FC who spoke highly of him. As did the Italian legend Andrea Pirlo.

“He is very young, he’s fast and he is capable of playing in Europe. He’s a good player.”

– Andrea Pirlo on Jack Harrison

Unfortunately, he has not quite lived up to the billing. The 22-year-old has scored just one goal in 15 games and provided zero assists.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Jack Harrison of Leeds United during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United at Hillsborough Stadium on September 28, 2018 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Today, he started his first game in the Championship since October and did not take his chance. The winger gave the ball away for Aston Villa’s second goal in the first-half. He was then hauled off at half-time for 18-year-old Jack Clarke. The youngster put him to shame, playing brilliantly and scoring the first goal of Leeds’ brilliant comeback.

It is just hard to see how Harrison now gets another chance in the Leeds United first-team.

He has been near entirely ineffective for the club and, as a loanee, is undoubtedly expendable.

Leeds United are better off going with Clarke in the future. Harrison will surely have to get used to a place on the bench again.