Noel Whelan has heaped praise on Leeds United youngster Jamie Shackleton, claiming that he is a “standout” talent.
The teenager made 24 appearances in all competitions for Marcelo Bielsa’s men last season, and BBC Leeds pundit Whelan believes he has a big future ahead of him.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Jamie Shackleton is the standout young player at Leeds, for me.
“Shackleton is an all-round player who has a bit of everything. He ticks more boxes than [Jack] Clarke, who is an out-and-out winger, and is going to be a really important player for Leeds next season.
“Shackleton can play in different areas of the pitch, drive the team forward, win the ball, see a pass, beat a player, he can do most things really well. I’m getting really excited about what he can achieve.”
OPINION
Whelan is right to be excited by Shackleton. The youngster was exemplary when he was drafted into the first team setup by Marcelo Bielsa this season, and all the signs are that he will keep that development going next term. It’s natural that Whelan makes a comparison with Jack Clarke, the other prodigious talent making waves at Elland Road at the moment, but realistically, they are two very different players. At the moment, Clarke is probably the more eye catching, but the nature of his role on the pitch – running at defenders and causing chaos – makes that something of an inevitability. Over time, however, given his versatility and the way he has slotted so effortlessly into the senior side, it could be Shackleton who garners more attention further down the line. Either way, it’s an exciting time for Leeds fans who have a duo with the highest potential at their disposal.