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Leeds United ace Jamie Shackleton set for 'huge year', could now be surplus to requirements - Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson has insisted that Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton is set for a “huge year” after his loan switch to Millwall was completed this week.
The ex-Whites goalkeeper believes that the signs are not good when a new manager, in this case Jesse Marsch, sends a player out on loan in his first full summer at the club.
Shackleton could even now be deemed as surplus to requirements at Elland Road, with a permanent exit likely on the cards if he doesn’t have a very big season at the New Den.
“This is a huge year for him then,” he exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“He played a few games last season, quite a few off the bench but obviously, the new manager has his own ideas and he’s reshaping the squad the way he wants.
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“If a new manager lets you go out on loan this early, then you wouldn’t be naive if you thought your time was limited, he’s got to have a very big season out on loan or an opportunity at Leeds arises through injuries and suspensions, he comes back and gets his opportunity there.
“You look now and you think that his future would lie elsewhere, the manager is making a lot of changes and has been trusted in remoulding the squad, and he’s obviously a player he sees as surplus to requirements.”
Smart.
Marsch has certainly made the call to test Shackleton.
Millwall do not have an option to buy in the loan deal, but they could certainly push for that should he impress.
Shackleton dropped down the pecking order with Tyler Adams and Marc Roca arriving in midfield, and Rasmus Kristen coming in as the new first-choice right back.
That meant that his versatility was no longer that useful for Marsch and Leeds, who have taken the first chance they can to ship him out on loan to the Championship.
Leeds Live has already reported that the club are ready to let Shackleton leave permanently next year, so this is certainly one to watch as the season goes on.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites now want to sign this striker with a rival set to kickstart a major £30million+ transfer battle