Graham Smyth urges Jamie Shackleton to take ‘necessary’ Leeds exit if promotion achieved
Jaime Shackleton should consider leaving Leeds United if the club get promoted back to the Premier League as his game time would be limited, according to Graham Smyth.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist wrote (18 October) that, despite him having a role to play this season in the Championship, his lack of top-flight minutes at Elland Road suggests he wouldn’t cut it after a promotion.
The 24-year-old has made seven appearances under Daniel Farke in the league this season after spending last season on loan to Millwall.
Smyth wrote: “Shackleton would clearly love nothing more than to remain at Leeds beyond the end of his current contract next summer but if the Whites are to be promoted will he play in the Premier League?
“He did in the first two post-promotion campaigns, although not as often as he would have liked, and then spent last season out on loan with Millwall.
“At some point, if Shackleton wants to be as ever-present in a team as [Kalvin] Phillips was at Leeds prior to his exit, then following his old pal out the door might be a necessary step.
“On the evidence of this season so far, there is a place for Shackleton at Leeds and giving up a potential second promotion, this time with fans present, would be a hard pill to swallow.”
Wait and see
While Shackleton is still a young player, 24 is the age where you need to be performing regularly at a high level to have the best chance of cutting it in the Premier League.
He has previously been deemed unnecessary to the squad in the top flight, but a successful spell at The Den did boost his credibility and Farke clearly trusts him in this squad.
His versatility has been his ally this season. Often a player can struggle to cement a spot in the starting lineup if they can play in many positions, but Shackleton has filled in successfully at right-back, left-back, right-midfield and central midfield under Farke.
However, when the likes of Djed Spence and Stuart Dallas return from injury, his place in the starting lineup may be at risk. If his minutes drop significantly before Christmas, a departure may be in his best interest. His contract runs out at the end of this season, so the club will force his hands if they don’t offer him a new deal.
But that will all depend on where Leeds sit in the table and their prospects of promotion. Keeping him around may be shrewd as Leeds could look to sell him on down the line, but Shackleton will have a big decision to make regardless.
In other Leeds United news, Paraag Marathe has failed to appoint an ally after Elland Road talks went sideways, according to Phil Hay.