In leading clubs one creates talking point (5)
I believe the answer is:
topic
'talking point' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in leading clubs one' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'leading' becomes 'top' (**).
'clubs' becomes 'c' (abbreviation used in card games such as bridge).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'top'+'c'='topc'
'topc' going around 'i' is 'TOPIC'.
'creates' is the link.
(Other definitions for topic that I've seen before include "Theme of discourse" , "Something to discuss" , "one discussed" , "Question" , "'Theme, subject (5)'" .)