Opinion: Best Sheffield United Academy Products to Earn International Caps | OneFootball

Despite Sheffield United not being a successful modern day football club, as far as winning a major title goes, they do have a good reputation of producing international footballers.

United’s academy, in Shirecliffe, has been churning out international calibre players for the last 15-plus years, and it’s just not for the small nations either. In fact, in the most recent World Cup, in 2022, the Blades had three academy products in the England national team which represented the Three Lions over in Qatar.

Here’s a list of the best international players that the Blades developed from their famed academy in Shirecliffe…

Best Sheffield United Academy Products to Earn International Caps

8. Stephen Quinn (Republic of Ireland) – 18 Senior Caps

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 28: Sheffield United player Stephen Quinn in action during the npower League One game between Sheffield United and Chesterfield at Bramall Lane on March 28, 2012 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

I feel as though I may get comments saying “this doesn’t count because he wasn’t from our academy”. Nonetheless, it is fairly obvious the Blades had a massive impact on Stephen Quinn’s development.

A versatile midfielder, and one of my favourite United players growing up, Quinn spent several years at Sheffield United after he was signed from the St Patrick’s Athletic academy as an 18-year-old.

The Irishman made over 200 appearances for the Blades across the Premier League, Championship and League One, scoring 20 goals, before moving on to Hull City.

He earned caps for the Republic of Ireland and was part of their squad for the 2016 European Championship.

7. David Brooks (Wales) – 30 Senior Caps

David Brooks originally began his career with the Manchester City academy before Sheffield United managed to get a hold of him and bring him to their academy.

After proving he was far too good for United’s under-21’s, he was chucked into the senior squad in the 16/17, but he really exploded onto the scene in the following campaign in the Championship.

After making 30 appearances and scoring three goals for the club, he signed for Bournemouth, where he continued to impress with his technical ability.

He earned his first Wales cap in 2017 and was later part of Wales’s Euro 2020 squad.

6. Aaron Ramsdale (England) – 5 Senior Caps

Aaron Ramsdale started with the Sheffield United academy before moving on to AFC Bournemouth and later rejoining the Blades in the summer of their 20/21 Premier League campaign.

His performances, despite United’s relegation, earned him a move to Arsenal and led to him being capped for England.

5. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (England) – 11 Senior Caps

Though he only made 11 senior appearances at Sheffield United, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was part of the Blades’ academy for roughly a nine-year period, where he scored goal after goal for the under-18’s and under-21’s.

The Shirecliffe product moved to Everton early in his career, where he has blossomed into a solid Premier League striker. His form for Everton earned him a place in the England squad, scoring on his debut in 2020.

4. Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) – 24 Senior Caps

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 19: Iliman Ndiaye of Sheffield United in action during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane on March 19, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Iliman Ndiaye may well go down as being the best technically gifted player the United academy has ever produced when it’s all said and done. After dominating the Professional Development League with the Blades, he finally got his chance to shine at first-team level.

He went on to score 21 goals in 77 appearances for Sheffield United, playing a vital role in the 2022/23 promotion-winning campaign. His form during that season was simply outstanding, and it earned him a place in the Senegal national team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, making three appearances.

After helping the Blades get promoted back to the Premier League, Ndiaye would be sold to Olympique Marseille, his boyhood club, in the summer of 2023. Now, he is a regular starter for Everton.

3. Phil Jagielka (England) – 40 Senior Caps

Phil Jagielka rose through the Sheffield United academy and became a regular England international, known for his consistency and leadership at the bag.

Leaving the Blades, after racking up over 250 appearances and some very memorable moments, he had a long and successful career with Everton, and then later returned to the Blades toward the end of his playing days in the 2020/21 term.

2. Harry Maguire (England) – 64 Senior Caps

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 13: Harry Maguire of Sheffield United (5) reacts as Stephen Quinn of Hull City (29) scores their fourth goal during the FA Cup with Budweiser semi-final match between Hull City and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium on April 13, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

One of the most prominent graduates of the Sheffield United academy is undoubtedly Harry Maguire. The towering defender tallied 134 appearances for the Blades before joining Hull City.

Known for his commanding presence as a centre-back and his ball-playing ability, even back as a Blades player in his League One days (2011-2015), he eventually earned England caps and became a regular starter and captain. He also captained Manchester United after his move from Leicester City.

Kyle Walker (England) – 91 Senior Caps

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Marcus Tudgay of Sheffield Wednesday is challenged by Kyle Walker of Sheffield United during the Coca-Cola Championship match between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane on September 18, 2009 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Kyle Walker started his career at the Blades, spending 11 years in the academy, between 1997 and 2008. He made only two senior appearances for United, including impressing in the 2008/09 Championship play-off final. His display caught the attention of Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, who signed him and then immediately loaned him back to Sheffield United, where he racked up a further 26 appearances.

Walker has since become one of the best full-backs in the world and has won multiple Premier League titles with Manchester City, and has been a key player for England, featuring in several World Cups and European Championships.

Honourable Mentions

An honourable mention goes to Kyle Naughton, who was in the United academy between 1996 and 2008, before making 40 senior appearances for the Blades in the 2008/09 term. Tottenham Hotspur would sign the right-back that summer, and he’d go onto to earn nine caps for England’s under-21’s.