"Success stories with Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire" - Claim made about Sheffield United's youth system at Bramall Lane | OneFootball

Sheffield United fan pundit, Jimmy of The Blades Ramble YouTube channel, shares his glowing review of the club's youth system.

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…

It is a growing fear that long-term talent development in academies is a diminishing art in the English game. Some English football clubs, like Brentford for example, have opted to close their academies altogether, focusing instead on a 'B team', scouting from other clubs later down the line.

While numbers may sadly suggest that, from an economic point of view, this short-term poaching could be the way forward, a club developing a first-team player through one's academy has always, and likely will always be, the most exciting and romantic avenue for player recruitment in sport.

Few sets of supporters know this more than the Blades. Sheffield United's academy is highly regarded for producing international-class players on a semi-regular basis. Known for its emphasis on developing local talent in the South Yorkshire area, the academy has nurtured England stars such as Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire and Aaron Ramsdale in recent memory.

But how does their academy look today, and do supporters have confidence in youth development at Brammal Lane. We asked our Sheffield United fan pundit, Jimmy of The Blades Ramble YouTube channel, how he feels about the club's youth system, and does he feel as though it is producing enough good talent?

There have always been great players in Sheffield United's academy

In response to the question posed, Jimmy reminisced of players gone by, and those few coming up.

Jimmy said: "Really pleased with the Sheffield United youth system. Historically, we've had some brilliant success stories with Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire, more recently Iliman Ndiaye and David Brookes.

"There's always been great players to come out of Sheffield United's academy, players like Phil Jagielka if you want to go even further back."

"We're still producing great prospects today. You never know quite how far they're going to go in terms of reaching their potential.

"You look at someone like Ollie Arblaster who has come through our academy, and now he's wearing the captain's armband, it's an absolutely unbelievable rise, and he has every bit earned that because of his performances. Hopefully, he'll be a strong player for us for years to come.

"Yeah, really pleased that we continue to invest in the club's youth system. It is certainly producing enough talent.

Sheffield United's trust in youth is middling

While their academy may have pedigree, Sheffield United have only played two teenage talents in the league so far this campaign, right-back Sai Sachdev and midfielder Sydie Peck (now 20).

In a Championship that is arguably more competitive than ever, where does this rank among the 24 teams.

As you can see, while eight teams have more trust in their under-20's, the Blades beat eleven of their peers, including Sheffield Wednesday, who are yet to trust a teen this term.

Though we may see more talents akin to the likes of Arblaster in the near future, as Sheffield United U21 were not only crowned Professional Development League champions in 2023/24, but currently look set to retain their title. Indicating an elite age group ready to emerge at Bramall Lane.