FA Cup star and attacking right-back could save Sheffield United millions in transfer fees | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at two emerging youngsters at Sheffield United, who could save the club millions in future transfer fees

Sheffield United are currently vying to win their second promotion to the Premier League in just three seasons, and find themselves in the thick of a Championship title race alongside the likes of Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland.

There is every chance that Chris Wilder's men could be back in the top flight next season, while new owners COH Sports, who completed their takeover of the club in December, may be keen to heavily invest in the Blades' squad next summer if they do achieve promotion.

The Blades' last two seasons in the Premier League, which came last term and back in 2020/21, ended in disaster as they finished bottom of the pile.

New co-chairmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy will be eager to avoid a repeat of that, should Wilder and co. seal promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

But while the American-based consortium will likely look to invest in the Blades' squad, Football League World takes a look at two emerging youngsters at Bramall Lane, who could save the club millions in future transfer fees.

Billy Blacker

Blades academy graduate Billy Blacker signed his first professional deal with the South Yorkshire club last summer when he moved up from the club's under-18 set-up to join the under-21s.

The 18-year-old was named as an unused substitute when Wilder's men took on Brighton in the Premier League last February but did not feature as his side were beaten 5-0 following Mason Holgate's red card.

Blacker has subsequently been named in several Championship matchday squads but his senior Blades debut did not arrive until this month's FA Cup third round meeting with fellow second-tier outfit Cardiff City.

While the teenager's side lost 1-0 to the Bluebirds, Blacker made a solid account of himself in midfield and created four chances, more than any other player involved in the match, as per FotMob.

Given the fact that the 18-year-old has so often been included in Wilder's matchday squads, including once in the top flight, and he also excelled on his senior debut, there is every chance that he could go on to become a real star at Bramall Lane.

The Blades could go on to trust Blacker as a first-team asset and in doing so save themselves from having to pay out hefty transfer fees in the coming years.

Sam Colechin

Sam Colechin is another Blades academy graduate who made his senior debut for the club during their FA Cup third round defeat to the Bluebirds.

The starlet was named as an unused substitute during the South Yorkshire side's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion in the Championship last month and went on to make a one-minute FA Cup cameo at Bramall Lane.

While Colechin only featured as a late replacement for fellow defender Alfie Gilchrist, making his debut on home soil will have acted as a major confidence boost for the youngster.

The talent Colechin possesses is undoubted, as he made his Blades under-18s debut as a 14-year-old back in 2023, according to the club website.

Meanwhile, during a recent under-18s victory over Swansea City, the teenager reportedly scored an impressive goal, demonstrating that the defender also has notable attacking qualities.

Should Colechin soon progress to becoming a first-team regular at Bramall Lane, it may mean that it is not necessary for Wilder and co to consult the transfer market in order to source talent in the teenager's position.