Chesterfield have welcomed former Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck to their training ground as the 33-year-old looks to maintain his fitness following his exit from Blackburn Rovers.
The midfielder joined Blackburn on a short-term contract in January following his departure from Sheffield United. Unfortunately, his time with Rovers was cut short, lasting just 17 minutes after he sustained an injury during his debut match against Preston North End.
Fleck subsequently required surgery on his shin, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Blackburn mentioned in their retained list that discussions with the player were ongoing. However, no further developments have been reported. Fleck is believed to have recovered from his injury but remains without a club as a free agent.
Recent reports suggest that the experienced midfielder is now training with Chesterfield, sparking speculation of a potential move to the League Two side.
His career has spanned nearly two decades, beginning with his breakthrough at Rangers as a highly touted teenager. In 2007, at just 15, he became the youngest player to feature for the club in decades. Fleck played in a Scottish Cup final a year later and was hailed as one of Scotland’s most promising talents. Despite early comparisons to Wayne Rooney, Fleck’s time at Rangers saw ups and downs, including limited first-team opportunities.
A move to Coventry City in 2012 offered a fresh start. He became a key player for the Sky Blues, particularly under manager Steven Pressley, and eventually won the club’s Player of the Year award in 2016. His strong performances led to a move to Sheffield United, where he found considerable success. Fleck was pivotal in the Blades’ promotions to the Championship and then the Premier League, establishing himself as a reliable Premier League midfielder. He played a key role in Sheffield United’s impressive ninth-place finish in 2020.
It remains unclear whether Fleck is simply maintaining his fitness or if a deal is on the horizon, but fans at the Technique Stadium will no doubt be eager to see how this situation unfolds.
Site Opinion
Chesterfield, newly promoted to League Two, would gain a significant boost if Fleck were to sign. With over a decade of experience in both the Scottish Premiership and English leagues, Fleck could provide invaluable leadership to manager Paul Cook’s squad.
The Spireites are looking to solidify their position in the league, and the addition of a seasoned midfielder like Fleck could be a pivotal move. However, he may just be training as a way of staying fit, but if that is the case, then Cook only needs to look at Stockport’s capture of Oliver Norwood to see how making a good impression is important.
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