By releasing a “underrated” talent, the Whites could be able to secure an Ezgjan Alioski successor.
The conclusion of Leeds United’s failure to solve a number of long-standing issues over the past few years was last season’s relegation.
However, should Daniel Farke decide to carry on with his experiment, there might finally be a surprising solution to one of those problems at left-back.
Who is the left-back for Leeds United?
While most clubs would have no trouble informing you who their first-choice left-back is, the Whites have had a lot of trouble filling that position ever since Ezgjan Alioski left.
After joining from Swiss club Lugano, he quickly established himself as a stalwart in Marcelo Bielsa’s backline, which rarely stayed in its defensive positions. He was given the extremely precise task of replicating their opposite winger, and he also possessed a sharp attacking impulse that enabled him to succeed in English football, where full-backs appear to be becoming more and more crucial with each passing season.
The North Macedonia international had four excellent years in Yorkshire, with the 2018–19 campaign—when they advanced to the playoffs but lost to Derby County—possibly serving as the high point.
| Ezgjan Alioski’s English League Seasons | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 (Premier League) | 2 | 3 |
| 2019/20 (Championship) | 5 | 5 |
| 2018/19 (Championship) | 7 | 5 |
| 2017/18 (Championship) | 7 | 5 |
All stats via Transfermarkt
Despite that, his Championship performances were truly exceptional, as he maintained a 7.03 average rating buoyed by his seven goals, five assists, 1.9 key passes and 2.2 tackles per game, via Sofascore.
However, it must be noted that the season following he was also a key player in their title crusade, scoring some integral goals as he posted another admirable eight goal contributions from left-back, all while retaining his quite bonkers personality.
For Bielsa to stride into Barcelona and snag Junior Firpo marked an initial masterclass at first, as it seemed like the legendary Argentinian tactician had produced one of the great coups in their recent history to secure a successor.
Just £12.8m was expended to bring the 27-year-old to Elland Road, with the Dominican Republic international billed as an all-action attacking full-back perfect for the football on display in Yorkshire.
However, he quickly garnered a reputation as a defensive “liability”, as noted by journalist David Anderson, with his two years in the English top flight meriting a 6.55 and 6.60 average rating, via Sofascore.
Pascal Struijk, a natural centre-back, was even enlisted to play in his place at times during last year’s miserable campaign.
It’s fair to say he has hardly staked a strong claim for the position, which still remains there for the taking. So, step forward an alternative. Jamie Shackleton, anyone?
How good is Jamie Shackleton?
One man who could step up is Shackleton, who despite being an attacking midfielder by trade has started this campaign by showcasing his immense versatility and quality in a number of roles.
Just last game saw him stand out in their 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, as a keen creative threat from left-back with the athleticism to retain solidity too.
Having been handed a 7.6 rating, his 99 touches, 89% pass accuracy and three key passes help to emphasise his continued involvement in the play, via Sofascore. Not to mention he managed to also post two tackles, one clearance and six duels won too.
The £1m-rated dynamo seems set for a run of first-team games after this showing, as he slowly grows into his role following a fine term last year on loan with Millwall. Farke even outlined him for praise, recently noting:
“I really love Jamie. So I think he’s sometimes really underrated because he can play all positions wherever he plays, he’s always reliable, always solid, always a good teammate, gives us everything.”
It seems that Shackleton is gearing up to finally fix that problem position once and for all, with the outstanding traits of the 23-year-old suggesting he too could be the next creative defender to emulate the success of Alioski.
