Sheffield United have announced their retained list today and there is good and bad news for some of the younger players at Bramall Lane.
United have made decisions on some first-team and academy players this morning. Experienced players like Lys Mousset, Luke Freeman and David McGoldrick are departing. Filip Uremovic will also head back to Rubin Kazan for the time being after his short stint.
In terms of the younger prospects, Angelo Capello and Harvey Cullinan have been released. Of course, it’s sad news for any young player not being kept on and we wish them well.
However, there is more positive news for some other young players at United. One of which is young full-back Harry Boyes, who the club have confirmed they’ve triggered an option in his contract to extend. Boyes joins the likes of Ben Osborn, Jack Robinson and Kyron Gordon in having similar options triggered.
For Boyes, it is a show of faith in him from the club. The youngster has spent this season gaining experience with Solihull Motors. Boyes made 31 appearances for the non-league outfit.
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There must be something Boyes is doing right if the club have moved to activate the extension in his contract. And it will be pleasing for the 20-year-old to have that show of faith.
As we know, he’d formed a good full-back pairing with Femi Seriki in the 23s and won praise from Darren Currie for a performance last year at that level.
“When we talk about a 3-5-2, when you’re pinned back you’re in a five and to get into the three, you need to be good with the ball. And we were better with the ball, which is why young ‘Boysey’ and ‘Femsi’ found themselves high up the pitch,” Currie said following an under-23’s win at Cardiff.
”That’s pleasing. The pair of them were outstanding. I thought Boyes, in particular, was excellent. I thought his performance was pretty faultless to be honest with you.”
It will be interesting to see if the Blades involve Boyes next season or send him on loan again. Left-back is well stocked as things stand at The Lane, so a loan could be the way forward.