Marcelo Bielsa believes Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton has the ability to achieve anything he sets his mind to in the game, via quotes by Leeds Live.
Shackleton has impressed the Whites boss with his flexibility to move around the pitch and take on various roles. The 21-year-old was one of the Elland Road outfit’s standout players during their Carabao Cup win at Fulham in midweek as he featured as a holding midfielder.
Bielsa has often utilised the England U20 international as a full-back over his brief outings this season. Shackleton has played less than an hour of Premier League action, with each of his three appearances coming in defence.
Injuries for Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch saw Kalvin Phillips slot in at central defence against Fulham. Shackleton took over the England international’s place as Leeds’ holding midfielder and Bielsa has no doubt over his potential there.
What’s he said?
The Argentine feels Shackleton’s history as a versatile midfielder-cum-defender has given him the platform to perform in the role.
“Shackleton is a player whatever he proposes to himself, he’s able to achieve it. As long as what he’s looking for has links to his characteristics,” Bielsa said. “The resources he has allow him to play as a full-back and as a defensive midfielder.
“His original position of a mixed midfielder, which is his true position, allows him to be able to defend out wide and to be able to play in the middle. In both positions, he knows how to defend and how to manage the ball.”
Will Shackleton’s future be as Leeds’ holding midfielder?
Shackleton has repeatedly shown his defensive potential when Bielsa has called on the Leeds product to feature at right-back. But he also has a nous for getting forward and creating chances, to highlight his all-round ability.
Wednesday’s performance in the cup will have now given Bielsa some food for thought over Shackleton as a holding midfielder. He was nimble in possession and got around the Craven Cottage pitch with ease.
He also often found space to offer teammates an outlet for the Whites to move the ball up the field. Given how rare Bielsa has fielded the Leeds-born talent as a midfield anchor, Shackleton gave plenty of praise-worthy moments
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