Sheffield United announce first signing: What can Jamie Shackleton give the Blades?

It’s been a busy 24 hours for Sheffield United Football Club as they can now announce that two experienced Championship players have signed contracts as part of Chris Wilder’s rebuild.

First up, back-up goalkeeper Adam Davies has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Bramall Lane until 2026. And the Blades welcome a new face to Shirecliffe as former Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton has joined the club on a three-year contract.

Shackleton, 24, had a new deal on the table at Leeds United but chose to reject that offer and move to South Yorkshire instead of being Chris Wilder’s first summer signing as part of of a major reconstruction.

Shackleton is a versatile midfielder who is capable of playing as a right-back and even a left-back if needed.

Like former Blades player Ben Osborn, Shackleton is often one of the smallest players on the pitch. However, his size is offset by his remarkable work rate and energy.

Both players are known for their relentless running and versatility on the field. Last season, Shackleton showed his adaptability playing in a number of positions including left back, right back, right midfielder and central midfielder, all in 700 minutes of football for Leeds United.

Shackleton excels at keeping possession, moving the ball forward and winning it back: critical attributes for a team looking to employ a dynamic style of play.

His pass rate was 87% last season, putting him in the 98th percentile for Championship defenders on FBref (classifying him as a defender because he played more games there than in midfield last season). This indicates its reliability in distribution.

Moreover, Shackleton’s progressive passing stats of just over four per 90 minutes place him slightly above average. However, he shows a clear preference for carrying the ball forward rather than overtaking it. He ranks in the 96th percentile for progressive carries and the 82nd percentile in progressive distance. This means that he not only frequently advances the ball, but also covers significant ground per carry, a valuable trait for breaking down opposition lines and moving play forward during counter-attacks.

Shackleton’s ability to drive the ball into critical areas is noteworthy. He ranks in the 95th percentile for carries into the final third and in the 98th percentile for carries into the penalty area.

In addition to his attacking skills, Shackleton shows impressive defensive skills, especially in the advanced areas of the field. He ranks in the 98th percentile for tackles in the final third, highlighting his ability to disrupt opposition play and initiate turnovers high up the field. Combined with his high energy and pressing ability, Shackleton could enhance Sheffield United’s ability to press opponents and regain possession quickly.

I think it’s a very good choice of a free transfer for Sheffield United. Shackleton will likely be more of a bench replacement in certain situations. For example, I can see more instances of Chris Wilder bringing him in to protect a track; he could switch to a 5-3-2 shape and place Shackleton on the right of a mid three. From there, Shackleton would provide defensive support to Jayden Bogle as well as bags of energy late in the game to advance and potentially kill the game.