Report: Sheffield United set to sign 24-year-old midfielder – What can he bring to the Blades?

Former Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton has agreed to sign for Sheffield United following the expiry of his contract at Elland Road, according to Football Insider. The 24-year-old featured just 15 times for the Whites in all competitions last season, registering one assist to his name.

Shackleton looked set to start in the 2023/24 season after having a successful loan campaign at Millwall last term. Instead, he would spend most of the season either as an unused substitute for Daniel Farke or not named in the matchday squad at all.

Interestingly, Leeds have offered the versatile midfielder a new deal, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, but of course he has refused to stay in West Yorkshire and has opted to move to South Yorkshire, according to reports.

PETERBOROUGH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Peterborough United’s Ephron Mason-Clark (R) and Leeds United’s Jamie Shackleton battle for the ball during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Peterborough United and Leeds United at Weston Homes Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Peterborough, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Shackleton has many similarities to Ben Osborn, whose future with the Blades is in doubt due to the deadlock in negotiations. Shackleton, like Osborn, is one of the smallest players on the field nine times out of ten. However, like Osborn, he has an incredible work rate and his energy is a standout attribute.

Like Osborn, Shackleton is a central midfielder who can cover both the wings and full-back. We’re getting a close look at the right-footed version of Ben Osborn. And I’m not complaining. We need team players and he certainly fits the bill.

Last season alone he covered left back, right back, right midfielder and central midfielder in less than 700 minutes of football for Leeds United.

FBref lists him as a full-back, so his percentile rankings are in comparison to defenders and full-backs in the Championship. But when you look at how he performed in some of the key metrics for midfielders, you can see why Chris Wilder sees Shackleton as a valuable squad player.

His passing rate at 90, 87%, is enough to see him ranked in the 98th percentile for full-backs in the Championship, while his progressive passes (just over four per 90) see him just above average.

It is clear to see that he prefers to carry the ball forward rather than pass forward; he ranks in the 96th percentile for progressive carries and the 82nd percentile for progressive distance. So not only does it take it a long way forward, it carries it a long way per try, this could be very useful to beat a counter press for example and lead to an exposed defence.

To add, he ranks in the 95th percentile for carries into the final third and the 98th percentile for carries into the penalty area.

Another thing that stood out to me is his tackling in the final third. He ranks in the 98th percentile for tackles in the final third. Add that to his high energy nature, Shackleton could be a decent weapon for when Sheffield United look to move up the field next season.

In other news, the Blades are on the verge of completing a deal for former Norwich City left-back Sam McCallum.