Jamie Shackleton is happy to be compared to Stuart Dallas after his start to the season at Leeds United.
Shackleton was speaking on the latest episode of the Official Leeds United Podcast where he was asked about his ability to play in a number of different positions.
The 23-year-old’s future at Elland Road had looked all but over 12 months ago after being shipped to Millwall on a season-long-loan.
However, Leeds‘ relegation has thrown Shackleton up with a fresh opportunity at his boyhood club which he has so far taken with both hands.
Shackleton has started five of Leeds’ seven matches in all competitions playing in four different positions already, taking up a utility role that Dallas has done so well in the last few years.
Shackleton discusses his comparisons to Dallas at Leeds
Prior to his injury, Dallas established himself as a fan favourite at Leeds due to his ability to play left-back, right-back, centre midfield and even as a winger.
Shackleton has played in all four of those positions already under Daniel Farke this season and is happy to be compared to Dallas after watching him do ‘an unbelievable job’ in different positions in years gone by.
“That’s great to hear. I always used to watch Stu [Dallas] and watch him each week play different positions and every time do an unbelievable job in all of them. At the minute I am kind of doing the same thing, being played in a few different positions and like him just trying to give everything so that a job’s done well in that role.”
Based on the success of Dallas at Leeds, there is always a place for a player like Shackleton in the squad, particularly given how many injuries the Whites seem to get.
Shackleton has proven a lot of people wrong with his performances in the early part of the season and there is no doubt now he has a big part to play over the course of the season.
If he can get somewhere close to what Dallas has done at Leeds then he will have done well.
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