Chris Basham has been speaking about some of Sheffield United’s young players as he looks ahead to the future.
Despite being at the opposite end of his career, Basham remains a pivotal figure for United under Paul Heckingbottom
The experienced defender is part of a core group of experienced players in the dressing room. Basham, who is approaching 400 appearances for the Blades, is considered by Heckingbottom as a key voice and figure in a mixed squad at Bramall Lane.
Of course, Basham will be being kept going in some part by the exciting young players around Shirecliffe. As we know, the big star in that age group is Iliman Ndiaye.
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But Basham, speaking to Yorkshire Live, has said there’s more to look out for. And in particular, he believes Sheffield United have a player on their hands in Andre Brooks, who is already showing a little bit of Ndiaye in his playing style.
“Arblaster is really good, Brooksy is another one and young Marshy looks very good as well. Brooks looks really good and just needs to open his mouth a bit more so that we know that he is here. Marshy is a bit like me when I was a kid, skinny, and with plenty of flair, but he scores goals,” Basham said.
“Arblaster and Brooks have been around us now and need to develop again. When they play in the 23s they need to make sure they are the best players on the pitch. Brooksy has that flair and moves around, a bit like Iliman, he can go one way or the other and has that nice aura about him when he’s on the ball.”
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Sheffield United have a rich history in producing young talent and Andre Brooks looks like being one to watch.
Brooks has been around the first-team and has even been given a debut by Paul Heckingbottom.
Like so many, the 19-year-old will know there’s plenty of hard work ahead if he is to make it as a regular in United’s first-team squad. But like Ndiaye and Arblaster, he is being kept around the first-team and that can only be a good thing.
Of course, a loan spell might benefit him at some point. But right now, he’ll be learning a lot and if he’s impressing Basham, then he must be doing something right.
