Leeds United head coach Thomas Christiansen speaks highly of Conor Shaughnessy.
Shaughnessy, who can operate as a central defender or as a central midfielder, made his full league debut against Fulham earlier this week.
The 21-year-old started the Championship game against the Cottagers at Elland Road on Tuesday evening and played for the entire 90 minutes, as the Whites played out a goalless draw with the London club at home.
The youngster had also featured in the 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers away from home at the Macron Stadium in the Championship earlier this month.
Shaughnessy came on a substitute against Bolton when Everton-owned defender Matthew Pennington picked up an ankle injury.
Leeds head coach Christiansen has praised Shaughnessy, and has suggested that he was pleasantly surprised to see the youngster play as a centre-back.
“He has the possibility to play as a no. 6 and that was the first intention that I had when I saw him,” Christiansen told The Yorkshire Evening Post about Shaughnessy.
“But now he gives me another option playing as a centre-back and this is good that we have players who can play in several positions for the squad.
When asked if the emergence of Shaughnessy means that there is no need to sign another central defender, Christiansen said: “Right now we have three and when Matthew comes back we have four there. So that helps to have another option.”
Do Christiansen’s comments about Shaughnessy suggest that Leeds will not make a move for another central defender in the summer transfer window? Maybe.
Injuries to Liam Cooper and Pennington so early in the season have been unfortunate, but if the Whites sign another centre-back this summer, then they would be in a position where they would have too many players.
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