Phil Hay has delivered a gushing verdict on Leeds youngster Jamie Shackleton, saying he looks “10 years older” than Jack Clarke and can play 46 games a season.
The 19-year-old broke into the Leeds first-team last season, making 24 appearances and impressing in the play-off semi-finals.
Talking on the latest episode of the Square Ball podcast (40mins), Phil Hay said that Leeds fans will see a lot more of him next season and compared him to Jack Clarke.
“He [Clarke] is quite a thrilling player when he’s on it but I watched him and Jamie Shackleton and I think Shackleton looks incredibly more rounded than Clarke and he looks like he’s 10 years older than Clarke in the way he plays and his strength and suitability for the level of football he’s never played in before.
“It was s shame he didn’t play more and he’s the type of player who could play 46 games in a season. I think he’ll play a lot more next season.
“The thing I like about Shackleton is that [Neil] Redfearn was talking about him in 2013 and saying he was the one to watch… I think he’s the best of all the academy players.”
OPINION
Leeds fans wanted to see more of Shackleton last season but we really think they’ll get their wish next season. The 19-year-old looks strong and plays with a confidence and assurance that belies his age. Phil Hay certainly thinks he’s got a big future at Leeds and despite all the attention being on Jack Clarke, Shackleton could be the one who becomes a first-team regular first. He was catching the eye way back in 2013 and has made his way up into the first-team without any fuss or getting on the radar of any other clubs. That will suit Leeds perfectly and he could be like a new signing for Marcelo Bielsa next season. He’s a versatile player as well who has been switched from midfield to right-back, before playing the number 10 role in the play-off semi-finals. He’s definitely one to watch.