AliousELLAND ROAD is facing a major overhaul of their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window, regardless of whether they secure promotion to the Premier League or not. One player who appears certain to depart is Liam Cooper, but there could be another homegrown talent leaving Elland Road for good – Jamie Shackleton.
The 24-year-old right-back, once tipped for a bright future at the club, has fallen out of favor this season in the Championship. He hasn’t started a game since late October, and with his contract expiring in June, the time seems right for Leeds to part ways with their academy product.
During Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure, Shackleton made 13 Premier League appearances in the 2020/21 season and was considered a “tenacious” talent by former player turned pundit Danny Mills. However, his promising career at Elland Road appears to be fizzling out.
Despite Leeds’ struggles at right-back this season, Shackleton couldn’t cement his place in the starting XI, leading to the January acquisition of Connor Roberts, which further pushed him down the pecking order. The 24-year-old has made just three substitute appearances in 2023 for the promotion chasers.
If Shackleton leaves on a free transfer, there will be regret over losing an academy graduate who once showed adaptability and attacking threat under Bielsa. The frustration is compounded by the fact that Shackleton’s current transfer value (according to Football Transfers) is double that of Sam Byram, who has been a reliable option at right-back for Leeds this season, despite being 30 years old.
While Byram has performed admirably, including a clean sheet against his former club Norwich in the playoff first leg, there is a lingering feeling that Shackleton never truly fulfilled his potential at Leeds. With 92 appearances and a higher valuation than Byram, the likelihood of Shackleton departing for free after falling out of favor with manager Daniel Farke is disappointing for the club and its supporters.
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