The Leeds United youngster finally got a chance in his natural position.
While Conor Shaughnessy has been given chances at Leeds United this season, he had to wait until last weekend to get a run-out in his preferred midfield position.
After initially showing what he can do at centre-back, the 21-year-old came off the bench for the last 32 minutes of Leeds’ 2-0 win against Barnsley and he did not disappoint.
In fact, he showed just what a composed and talented player he is and it will be interesting to see what Shaughnessy’s emergence could mean for his Leeds teammate Eunan O’Kane.
After all, the Republic of Ireland international has struggled for regular starts in recent weeks, with Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips starting more often than not, and O’Kane will not want yet another talented youngster forcing him even further down the pecking order.
Shaughnessy came on for O’Kane on Saturday, with Vieira suspended, and on that evidence it will not be long before the former is starting games in the middle of the park for Leeds.
O’Kane has only had a bit-part role in recent weeks, having previously made a starting spot his own, and he should now use the challenge of Shaughnessy as a catalyst to prove to Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen that he deserves more chances, not less, with the games coming thick and fast.
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