"Will absolutely dominate" - 2024/25 prediction made around promise of Sheffield United individual | OneFootball

At FLW we spoke to our resident Sheffield United fan pundit to get his verdict on what player has the highest ceiling at the club.

Highlights

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 aren't always a side that have been blessed with youth talent, with managers such as Chris Wilder and Paul Heckingbottom have preferred more experienced individuals.

This strategy has certainly worked in helping them get promoted with the likes of John Egan, Enda Stevens and George Baldock all playing crucial roles in the club's recent Championship success.

But, as football turns to a more youthful outlook, the Blades will have to adapt to the times, and we are beginning to see some young, exciting talent leave their academy.

Andre Brooks and Ollie Arblaster are just a few of the names who could have an impact at the club and the future looks bright at Bramall Lane.

Arblaster "was better than anyone could believe"

With all this in mind, at Football League World, we decided to speak to our resident Sheffield United fan pundit, Owain Wyse, to get his view on what player has the highest ceiling at the club. Wyse was quick to respond and there was only one name on his mind.

"It has to be Ollie Arblaster. He's a player I've talked about a lot on here because he is so talented.

"Last season he shone out on loan at Port Vale and then, after we recalled him, he was better than anyone could believe he would be in the Premier League.

"Despite only being 20, he plays like he has 20 years of experience and next season, if we keep hold of him, then Ollie and Gus Hamer will absolutely dominate the division in centre-midfield."

Wyse was also adamant that Arblaster could play at a higher standard and compared him to a current England star: "I am of the firm belief that Ollie has the ability, potential and right attitude to play consistently at the very top level.

"It is possible he could have the same sort of meteoric rise as Adam Wharton had last season."

Arblaster's big impact at Sheffield United

It is quite remarkable that Arblaster has had this big of an impact in such a short space of time. Having been recalled from Vale, you doubt that he would have expected to get many minutes on the pitch post-January.

However, he did just that and was the shining light of what was a dreadful end to the season for the Blades. Featuring in midfield, his performance against Chelsea in April was met with the highest of praise as he took on the Blues £200 million duo of Enzo Fernández and Moises Caicedo.

However, a moment of huge personal pride would have been the opportunity Wilder gave him to be captain of the side in the Blades' fixtures against Manchester United and Newcastle United.

"To walk out there as captain was just a proper ‘pinch-me’ moment with my family being there as well. It was a great feeling. I was just taking it all in really, and it’s probably only really when the season finishes that I’ll look back at it properly and think: ‘Wow’."

This will be a moment that will live with the 20-year-old forever and, as Wyse said, who is to say the youngster won't go on to play at the very highest level?