The lowdown on Sheffield United’s Tahith Chong | OneFootball

Tahith Chong is a Blade. The latest in the Blades’ growing line of signings that is best summed up as the opposite of an everything must go sale. Like London buses is more apt but that’s cliche.

That’s not to say that Chong, Ings or Tanganga aren’t great signings. With Tanganga likely the most necessary of the three. But much like a shop on its last legs, mass hysteria from the public is ensuing with each passing day until the deadline.

Compared to previous windows late business is king. Plus, it certainly isn’t over yet.

So who is Tahith Chong? Before he becomes one of the Blades’ longest serving players and the next London buses get parked up outside Shirecliffe. It seems I’m not above remixing a cliche.

The Beginning

Tahith Chong was born in Willemstad, Curacao on 4 December 1999. He later moved to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. By 2009, he joined Feyenoord’s academy.

In September 2014, he took part in the Manchester Premier Cup at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground. This was the initial moment that put him on the radar of Red Devil’s scouts.

By 2016, he was moving to Manchester with his parents to join their academy. Despite, reports of interest from Chelsea.

In January 2017, Chong suffered a serious knee injury during an academy match for the Red Devils U18s against Everton.

Just under a year later, he returned to playing this time with the U23s. His brilliant comeback from injury saw him named the club’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year in May 2018.

Current Ipswich boss and then United U18s boss, Kieran McKenna said: It’s really pleasing to see him win the award. He’s shown great strength and character to come back mentally and physically. It’s really pleasing to see him up here tonight.”

Senior Red Devil

On 5 January 2019, Chong made his debut for Manchester United. The FA Cup tie with Reading saw him replace Juan Mata as the Red Devils won 2-0.

His first season with the senior team saw him play four times. Whilst also still playing academy matches. He was named the club’s Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year. Becoming the first player since Giuseppe Rossi to earn the honour the year after being named Young Player of the Year.

One of Chong’s four appearances that season came in the Champions League on the club’s historic night in Paris. Where the Red Devils left it late to overcome PSG to make the quarter-finals.

He would make 12 appearances for the Red Devils in 2019-2020 before a series of loan spells. Half of those 12 appearances came in the Europa League contributing two assists.

Germany Loan

In August 2020, Chong was loaned out to Werder Bremen. Scoring his first goal for the German club a month later in the DFB Pokal.

In total he made 15 appearances scoring once and getting two assists. Before returning to Manchester in January 2021 to be loaned out again.

Belgium Loan

In January 2021, he headed on loan to Club Brugge. He scored on his debut in the Belgian Cup against Olsa Brakel. Before making 12 more appearances and getting four assists in the league.

Loan and Permanent move to Birmingham

In July 2021, Chong joined Birmingham City on loan. By August, he made his debut and scored the only goal as Birmingham beat the Blades.

His other two goal contributions in his 20 games came a fortnight later against Luton Town. The reason for his lack of game time was a serious groin injury that led him to return to Manchester. Before returning in February 2022. Although, in April he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out until the last match of the season.

In September 2022, Birmingham made the move permanent for an undisclosed fee. Chong had a much better time at St Andrews as a permanent player scoring four goals and getting five assists in 38 Championship games.

Down the road to Kenilworth

This prompted Luton Town, upon promotion to the Premier League, to sign him. In his first full main season Chong was a bright light in a feisty Luton Town side that still succumbed to relegation along with the Blades and Burnley. He scored four goals in 33 Premier League matches in his first taste of top flight football.

Helping Luton Town to a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in November 2023 with his first Premier League goal.

Chong played 30 games last season in the Championship for Luton. He started 24 of those matches and contributed two goals and an assist. As Luton succumbed to another relegation.

Last season’s statistics

Defensively

It’s strange to start here for a forward player but he has some stand out positives. He made 99 recoveries and won possession in the final third 16 times placing him in the 75th percentile for both. As well as blocking three shots and eight interceptions showing a willingness to get back.

He does need to improve his tackles won percentage. At 56.5% it’s among the lower average for players in the same position.

In Possession

He made 30 successful dribbles last season despite a dribble success of 42.9% suggesting a willingness to go at his man. If he can improve his success he could become an exciting player for the Blades rather than one to just pass it forward.

He also drew 49 fouls last season putting him in the 87th percentile. Or in other words, he’s a nuisance to opposition defenders. Even winning one penalty for his side.

Passing

His pass accuracy (78.7%) and long ball accuracy (32.4%) having him in the lower percentiles of Championship forward players. It is certainly an area he could look to improve in order to help contribute to the Blades getting forward.

However, his crossing accuracy of 27.6% with 16 successful crosses had him among the division’s best crossers.

It’s also important to note that Chong can play anywhere behind the striker, left, centre, and right.

Recent Injury

After a groin injury over the summer the BBC reported on the 22 August 2025 that Chong was back in training with Luton Town. Although, he is yet to make an appearance this season.

Takeaways

Chong is a good signing for Sheffield United. Partly because for the first time ever a player was linked one evening signed the next day. But from a squad perspective he offers United options. He knows the level and offers good cover for Louie Barry and competition for Andre Brooks.

He also is a player who showed bright sparks at every youth level and did fairly well at Birmingham and Luton Town.

He’s also recently received his first call-up from Curacao. So, he’s likely going to want to hit the ground running and stay in the national team’s plans. Something that can only be good for Sheffield United.