Jamie Shackleton, a Leeds United utility player, has caught the spotlight this season with his consistent performances while playing in a number of roles.
After being relegated from the Premier League, the Whites faced a slew of difficult decisions during the summer transfer window.
Even if the club was relegated, players who had not seen much action in recent seasons were considered to be surplus to needs, and Jamie Shackleton was thought to be one of them.
Was Daniel Farke hoping to keep him?
The Athletic’s Phil Hay has disclosed that the club’s initial strategy was to enable Shackleton to depart if bids came in.
That decision was reversed when Daniel Farke got to know him during pre-season and saw his adaptability firsthand at Thorp Arch:
“On the first day of Leeds’ return to training, Shackleton was on the list of players set to leave the club following their relegation from the Premier League.” In his mind, the 23-year-old was seeking for new chances and possibly a permanent move away.
“However, as pre-season progressed, newly-appointed Farke advised his bosses to reconsider: Shackleton had appealed to him, and Shackleton should stay.”
Who was interested in signing him?
However, interest in the 23-year-old existed if Leeds had remained committed to allowing him depart once his Millwall loan expired.
Hay claims that Rangers were interested in recruiting him, but their desire never materialized, and that Leeds’ Championship rivals QPR were also interested.
However, Gareth Ainsworth’s side would have had to pay a loan fee to recruit him, which appears to have thwarted their attempt.
We were correct to maintain Shackleton, even if he does not retain his starting spot when everyone is fully fit.
He provides us with the same level of depth as Stuart Dallas did, able to put in the same effort no matter where he ends up playing.
That kind of no-nonsense attitude is essential for the squad’s cohesiveness, and we’d be better off keeping him than letting him go.
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