"Really not that disappointed" - Sheffield United departee warned after turning down contract offer | OneFootball

Daniel Jebbison has now left Sheffield United after turning down a 'lucrative' new contract at Bramall Lane

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sheffield United have waved goodbye to a number of players this past week at the end of their contracts - one of those being starlet Daniel Jebbison.

Jebbison stamped his mark on history by becoming the youngest ever Premier League player to net a match-winning goal in Sheffield United's 1-0 victory over Everton in May 2021, which had appeared to be the promising precursor for a sensational trajectory at Bramall Lane.

Just 17-years-old at the time, it was hoped that Jebbison would have an influential role for the Blades in their Championship crusade following relegation, but opportunities have rarely been forthcoming at the club for a variety of reasons.

Merely a few months on from his moment in the top-flight spotlight, Jebbison enjoyed a fruitful six-month loan spell with Burton Albion in the third-tier, but since returning from the Pirelli Stadium that January, the striker only managed to add two more goals to his account.

After much speculation, United - who are preparing for yet another campaign in the Championship after finishing rock-bottom in the Premier League last term - confirmed Jebbison's departure from what is already a concerningly depleted squad at Chris Wilder's disposal.

A club statement detailed that lucrative terms had been put on the table in a bid to convince the 20-year-old to remain in South Yorkshire, but he promptly rejected such offerings and is now available on the free agent market.

Daniel Jebbison warned about his future following Sheffield United departure

Jebbison's departure will undoubtedly leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Blades supporters for two reasons; to be losing his services for nothing, but also that his potential with the club was never reached, despite moments of promise.

The latter is certainly a school of thought that is subscribed to by FLW's resident Blades fan pundit Owain Wyse, who doesn't feel as though Jebbison will be a big miss for the club.

"I don't know about Jebbison and I never have, when he's played he's never looked great, but the people within the club seem to be huge fans of him," explained Owain to Football League World.

"According to the statement, we offered him a lucrative deal which he's turned down, and if he didn't want to be here or thought he was worth more than he is I'm really not that disappointed.

"I don't think he would've started up front for us next season and I'm still not sure he's even as good as Will Osula, who just seems to put himself around more and cause more problems for opposing defenders for me.

"I will follow his career with interest because there's clearly a talented player there and I do think he'll have a decent career, but I don't see him playing games or starting for a club who are in a better position than we are anytime soon."

Daniel Jebbison's Sheffield United exit can be seen as a blow

Owain is correct in stating that Jebbison is unlikely to feature regularly for any clubs superior to the Blades at the moment, but it's hard to ignore the potential that remains intact despite a turbulent few years.

Jebbison also made a serious impression in League One at the age of 18 and has shown fleeting moments of real potential with the Blades, and while the consistency has seldom been there, that usually tends to be the case with young, precocious talents.

The jury is still out on Jebbison's ceiling in the game, but equally, it wouldn't come as any real shock to see his departure coming back to haunt them in years to come.

Perhaps he will join a Premier League club and be loaned out or feature for their under-21's, but he's now showed anything yet to suggest he's ready for top flight football right now, so it will be interesting to see where his next move is.