Leeds United have another slight skilful but diminutive midfielder hoping to make it at Elland Road.
In a recent interview with Radio Yorkshire, former Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn sang the praises of 16-year-old Jamie Shackleton, suggesting he was one to keep a very close eye on.
“There’s a little boy, a midfield player…I think he’s got a great chance,” Redfearn said. “He’s not the biggest, but he’s very tenacious.”
That is exciting news for Leeds fans that are always on the lookout for the next youngster to break through. The problem is, their former boss’s comments draw comparisons with a teenage sensation that never made it at Elland Road despite the considerable hype.
Chris Dawson was touted as the next big thing; a player Redfearn knew extremely well from his time running the club’s academy and one he gave first-team chances to during his brief spell in charge.
He also took Dawson to Rotherham United when the midfielder finally left Leeds, but the 22-year-old is now somewhat bizarrely on loan in Norway, turning out for Viking.
For years Leeds fans wondered why Dawson was not getting the chances his talent suggested he deserved, but the same response kept coming from those in the know – he was too lightweight for the Championship; innately skilful but not built for the second tier.
With Redfearn suggesting that Shackleton is also somewhat diminutive, there is a chance he could go the same way as Dawson before him.
Then again, he could learn from the now-22-year-old’s fate and fight tooth and nail for the first-team chance Redfearn feels is only a matter of time.
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