Graham Smyth shares Jamie Shackleton position after he was sounded out for Leeds United exit
Jamie Shackleton was asked if he would like to leave Leeds United this summer but decided to stay and try and “impress” his new boss, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth.
Shackleton was offered a chance to leave Elland Road this summer, but turned down the opportunity, instead opting to fight for his place under Daniel Farke in the Championship.
And it appears the 23-year-old – who spent last season on loan with Millwall – has been rewarded for this decision. The midfielder has started three of his side’s five matches in the league this campaign, as well as playing the full 90 during both of the Whites’ Carabao Cup fixtures.
Smyth has revealed via the Inside Elland Road podcast (6 September) how the versatile Shackleton earned his place as a starter this season for Farke.
He said: “In terms of the players Leeds had, all 40 of them that we looked at, Shackleton was an easy one because while the club sounded him out about whether or not he would maybe like to go this summer, the position from Shackleton was always, ‘no thanks very much, I’m going to stay, I know that I train really well, I know I can impress coming back by being fitter than anyone else in pre-season, then I am going to hope to play my way back into Farke’s plans’.”
Refreshing
Supporters at Elland Road will just be happy to hear of a player fighting for their place at the club, not trying to force their way out. After a summer of drama involving Wilfried Gnonto’s refusals to play and handing in of a transfer request, the story of a player choosing to earn his spot in the team and demonstrate what he can do will delight fans.
And so far it appears that the decision to keep Shackleton in West Yorkshire and offer him game time has been the correct one. He has already proven that he is a useful player in the fight for promotion from the Championship and can help the team by covering various positions across the pitch.
His time with Millwall last season would have taught him a thing or two about navigating England’s second division, and if they are to be promoted, Leeds will need more of Shackleton’s attitude from everyone else.
In other Leeds United news, another player could be just days away from leaving the club.