Noel Whelan has tipped Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton to establish himself in the Premier League later in his career.  

Leeds provided Shackleton with a breakthrough last season, with Marcelo Bielsa placing trust in the teenager as his side pushed for promotion to the Premier League.

Shackleton made 21 appearances last year, featuring at both right-back and central midfield, registering two assists.

Again, this season he’s had a bit-part role for the promotion-chasing Whites, making 14 Championship appearances despite injuries plaguing his involvement.

Despite failing to really establish himself in the starting XI, Whelan believes that Shackleton has shown enough to suggest he’s got a future in the Premier League.

He told Football Insider: “I’m sure he’s going to end up as a Premier League player, I’d love to see that happen. He’s got a wealth of talent under his belt and is one player I think could probably thrive. 

“A little bit like Lewis Cook when he was at Leeds, he can do it with Bournemouth in the Premier League. He’s been hampered with injuries but they’ve got a real top-class midfielder on their hands.

“I think Jamie Shackleton has got the same ingredients in his DNA.”

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The 20-year-old has worked his way back from a recent injury to make five cameo appearances in the Whites’ last five fixtures.

Those fixtures have seen Bielsa’s side win five consecutive games without conceding a goal, which has helped move them top of the Championship table and open up a seven-point cushion to third-placed Fulham.

The Verdict  

The comparison between Shackleton and Lewis Cook is a good one, with both midfielders sharing similar traits in the way that they play.

The difference is that Cook quickly established himself at Leeds in the starting line-up, but even then, he did it in a much weaker side.

Despite that, Whelan is confident that Shackleton has shown enough to be a hit in the Premier League, which is a prediction that most Leeds fans will hope comes true.

Thoughts? Let us know!

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