Chris Wilder has been speaking about a couple of Sheffield United youngsters and used Brentford’s Ivan Toney as a prime example.
United take on Brentford and their star striker Toney this weekend as they look to finish the season with a flourish.
Three draws in the last four have seen United start to put up some sort of fight. And while relegation is all but confirmed regardless, there’s still plenty of excitement around the club in terms of the future.
One of the reasons for the excitement is the cluster of young players emerging at Bramall Lane.
The likes of Oliver Arblaster, Andre Brooks, and Will Osula have all played big roles this season, while another young player, Daniel Jebbison, hasn’t featured but is highly-rated.
And speaking about Jebbison and Osula in particular in his press conference today, Chris Wilder has used the example of Ivan Toney to highlight how time might be needed.
Chris Wilder speaks on Ivan Toney as namechecks Will Osula and Daniel Jebbison
Speaking in his presser – as transcribed by The Bladesman – Wilder used Toney’s later development in the game as how Osula and Jebbison – as well as others – might need to be patient.
“Newcastle didn’t get Ivan Toney going. This is what you have to deal with with young players. We’ve just had the conversation about an hour ago about Jebbison and Will Osula and the characteristics they’ve got as number 9s, modern day centre-forwards that are strong, powerful, can run and athletic,” Wilder said.
“Ivan had all those tools and I’m not saying our two boys will go on to have the career Ivan’s had but it’s been a while coming and he’ll possibly be the first to admit that, loan spells here there and everywhere, found a very good home at Peterborough and developed and then got his move and the numbers you’re talking about and being in the England squad.
“With young players comes time and patience so there is a gut feeling when to put them in, when to bring them out and we have to manage that – just had a conversation with Brooksy about that so we’re talking to our young players all the time. There’s got to be time and patience because you all make mistakes, I’m sure Ivan did as a young player but if somebody believes in them, which we do, then hopefully they will come through and progress. We’re all looking for it to be now or in the next 6-12 months but [Ivan] is a great example to our players that this might take a little bit of time with the young ‘uns.”
Future is bright for Sheffield United
It seems to be a common theme of the club but there is once again high hopes for a number of youngsters right now.
As well as those mentioned above, the likes of Louis Marsh, Femi Seriki and Jili Buyabu are all highly-rated by the club and are tied down to new deals.
The job now for Chris Wilder and his coaching staff is to harness that talent and ensure it develops into something the first-team can count on and use regularly. In the future, whether they become saleable assets for the club, is another matter.
United have always taken pride in their academy and the move to a new training ground should only enhance the youth set up further.
Next season, then, could be an exciting time to be a Blade as a number of home-grown talents lead the charge.