The Whites’ youth has the potential to become a major player for the team in the future.
Leeds United quietly went about their business during the recent January transfer window, adding only one player to their first-team roster.
The Whites are battling for automatic promotion to the Premier League alongside Leicester City, Southampton, and Ipswich Town, and have strengthened their squad with the loan acquisition of Connor Roberts from Burnley.
They also permitted a number of players to leave, including Leo Hjelde, who was transferred to Championship rivals Sunderland, and Darko Gyabi, Ian Poveda, and Luke Ayling, who were loaned to Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday, and Middlesbrough.
Daniel Farke chose to send Djed Spence back to Tottenham Hotspur at the start of January, citing issues about the player’s mentality, leaving a space to compete with Archie Gray for the right-back position, which Roberts has since filled.
However, the Welsh international is only on loan until the end of the season, and the club may need to look for a permanent solution in the summer.
Farke, on the other hand, may already have a long-term substitute for Roberts in the rarely seen Jamie Shackleton, who has suffered from injuries this season.
Connor Roberts’ Leeds statistics this season
Since joining on loan from the Clarets on deadline day, the Wales international has been a reliable right flank player for the Whites.
He has made seven Championship appearances for the Yorkshire side, including one start, and has one goal and one assist.
Despite only starting one of his seven games, the 28-year-old full-back has produced two ‘big chances’ and made 0.6 important passes per game, demonstrating his offensive danger.
Roberts has also won 50% of his duels, but only averages 0.4 tackles per game and has yet to make an interception. This shows that he still has opportunity to improve on the defensive end.
The Welsh ace played in the Championship for Burnley during the 2022/23 season, where they won the title, and demonstrated his brilliance in possession.
He was in the top 1% of fullbacks in the division for progressive passes (7.37) per 90 and the top 57% for progressive carries (1.81) per 90. The gifted player also rated in the top 16% for assists (0.15) per 90 minutes for Vincent Kompany’s team.
These statistics demonstrate that Roberts is a progressive, forward-thinking right-back capable of producing great results at the top end of the pitch for his club.
However, it is worth mentioning that the seasoned enforcer is not now the first choice, as Gray has been a consistent starter in that area despite the fact that it is not his natural position.
The 18-year-old is a central midfielder by trade but has spent the majority of the season at right-back and could be moved back into the middle in the future.
Archie Gray’s Midfield Potential
Gray has spent the majority of this season playing in the number two position for the first squad under Farke and has proven to be a reliable option for the Whites.
He has started 32 Championship games for the club and, like Roberts, has excelled in possession as a progressive right-back. The adolescent sensation is in the top 35% of full-backs in the league for progressive passes (4.09) per 90 and the top 46% for progressive carries (1.92) per 90.
However, the academy graduate is in the lowest 49% in assists per 90 (0.06), with two assists in 35 second-tier matches to date.
| Archie Gray | Against Chelsea | 23/24 Championship (per game) |
|---|---|---|
| Key passes | One | 0.4 |
| Pass accuracy | 93% | 84% |
| Dribbles completed | 4 | 1.0 |
| Duels won | 6 | 4.3 |
| Tackles won | 2 | 2.3 |
| Long pass accuracy | 100% | 37% |
| Stats via Sofascore | ||
As shown in the table above, Gray’s performance in central midfield versus Premier League side Chelsea in the FA Cup was superior to his average performance level at right-back in the Championship in several crucial statistics.
He appeared to contribute more in and out of possession for his team in the middle of the park than he did as a right-back in the league, thus his future should be as a midfielder.
Why Jamie Shackleton Could Replace Connor Roberts
Moving Gray to midfield would necessitate Roberts starting at right-back in the short term, but Shackleton, Burnley’s loanee, could already be in the building.
The versatile academy product previously played as a midfielder under Marcelo Bielsa, but has been used as a full-back by Farke, who expressed his “love” for the bright gem earlier this season, calling the dynamic genius a “underrated” player in his side.
In nine Championship games this season, the 24-year-old dynamo has demonstrated his outstanding offensive production as a right-back for the Whites.
Shackleton is now ranked in the top 42% of full-backs in the division for progressive passes (3.87) per 90 and the top 8% for progressive carries (3.61) per 90, indicating that, like Gray and Roberts, he excels at moving the ball forward for his team.
The English genius, who has produced 0.7 critical passes each game and generated one ‘big chance’ in those nine games, has also made 2.2 tackles and interceptions per game, which is 1.8 more than Roberts.
Shackleton’s most recent outing for Leeds was in the FA Cup against Plymouth Argyle in January, and as shown in the table above, he demonstrated his strong defending as well as his possession consistency.
Farke regarded the versatile star as a “unbelievable” piece of the squad, but he has missed 17 Championship matchday squads due to various issues.
His contract at Elland Road is set to expire this summer, but the club must allow him time to show his fitness, since his quality is evident when he gets on the pitch to play right-back.
If Shackleton can get a few games under his belt, his potential to grow as a passer and carrier, as well as his excellent tackling, might make him the ideal alternative for Roberts after this season, which is why extending his contract would be worthwhile.
