Versatile Leeds United playmaker accepts move to rivals

Leeds United are losing a valuable squad player

Shackleton made 11 Championship appearances for the Whites last season, seven of which were starts. He started six of the first nine league games and came off the bench at Portman Road, providing the assist for what turned out to be the winning goal in a 4-3 win over Ipswich Town in Premier League. That momentum was halted as he lost his place in the team for the rest of the season.

The former England Under-20 international made 10 starts in two Premier League seasons from 2020-22, but saw his most regular minutes on the pitch with Millwall in the 2022/23 campaign. He made 36 appearances and showed his versatility playing in a variety of midfield roles.

There is undoubtedly a place for Shackleton in the second tier with his impressive work rate and ball carrying skills. He has yet to show that he has the technical ability to be a regular in a Premier League side, but his versatility in being able to play either side as a full-back or in a deep-lying midfield role is key for clubs. with the hectic schedule of the second level.

Sheffield United Relegation Exodus – Key players leave Bramall Lane

Chris Wilder has lost Max Lowe, Wes Foderingham, Ben Brererton Diaz, Yasser Larouci and George Baldock since the end of the 2023/24 season which ended in relegation from the Premier League. As reported by Football Insider, they have made a move to fill the gap, agreeing a deal for Shackleton from Leeds United. The same source reports that the Whites initially wanted to extend his contract, but no agreement could be reached.

The names listed above include three full-backs, so it looks like Shackleton is set to be signed to partially fill the gap left by those departures. Wilder is known to prefer playing full backs or wide midfielders in a 3-5-2 or 4-5-1 and this would suit the skill set that Shackleton possesses. He is suited to either role in deep areas with his ball-carrying abilities.

It should be a busy summer for the blades, who will need to strengthen the squad after the departures of many stalwarts. Sheffield United will start the new Championship season with a two-point deduction after breaching the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules.