The midfielder has been an underutilised cog in the Leeds wheel this season.
Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton is expected to join the club at the conclusion of the season, when his contract expires.
The 24-year-old progressed through the club’s academy system before joining the first team in 2018. Making the transition to this level has not been simple for him. He has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at the club, and he was loaned out to Millwall for the 2022/23 season.
Footballers want to play, and this frustrating amount of minutes may mean he quits the club permanently when his contract ends at the end of June. The length of time Farke has used him may also be a good indicator of whether the club will grant him a new contract.
Leeds fan’s Jamie Shackleton contract judgement.
Kris Smith, FLW’s Leeds fan commentator, believes the Whites will not offer the 24-year-old a new deal.
“He has done us a big benefit by fighting for his spot after returning from Millwall and stepping in wherever he is needed. Whether it was at fullback, central midfield, or on the flank. But I don’t see him continuing at Leeds for the long term, which is probably best for him as well.”
“A solid stint with us, demonstrating his ability to compete for his place in a promotion-chasing squad, should be viewed as a shop window chance for both him and the teams interested in him. As a free agent in the summer, he would bring a lot of versatility to any team looking to push for the playoffs.”
Shackleton would be an invaluable asset to most Championship clubs.
As Smith said, Shackleton’s versatility on the pitch makes him a valuable asset for managers. He is a Swiss army knife player who can adapt and be used in a variety of scenarios.
That should be a significant attraction to clubs trying to enhance their squads for the 2024/25 season, although reputation may often lead to player undervaluation.
When Shackleton was at Millwall, he made more than half of his league appearances as a substitute. Nowadays, these do-it-all players aren’t always regarded as the best additions to your starting lineup. Managers desire experts, and players like Shackleton are frequently viewed as bench possibilities.
That is not to mean that clubs will look down on him for it; he has performed that job brilliantly for a near-playoff side in Millwall and one of the top sides in the league, Leeds. However, it is possible that Shackleton will need to seek lower down the table for regular minutes.
In any case, if he or the club determine that the current situation isn’t working, he should have little trouble finding work at another Championship club.
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