Oliver Arblaster’s Sheffield United breakthrough has not gone unnoticed among other major clubs following the Blades’ relegation.
Chris Wilder remains optimistic that Oliver Arblaster will have a “long and successful” career at Sheffield United, after emerging as one of the few bright spots in a horrific season for his boyhood club. The academy graduate, who turned 20 earlier this year, has cemented his position in the Blades’ starting lineup and was recently chosen captain with Jack Robinson injured.
A young guy who began the season on loan at Port Vale in League One with a 7-0 defeat against Barnsley has made a fairytale Premier League debut. Despite his lack of experience at this level, he has looked perfectly at ease in the Premier League, and he has already been identified as a vital player in United’s major summer makeover.
However, his rise has not gone unnoticed elsewhere, with a number of big teams said to be monitoring his development at Bramall Lane. United bolstered their position by signing Arblaster to a new contract earlier this year that runs until 2028, and it would take a jaw-dropping offer to persuade the Blades to cash in on one of their greatest assets this summer following relegation.
Wilder just agreed to keep Arblaster at Bramall Lane and “build around him.” We understand the game’s structure and how it moves, but it’s definitely ‘career here’ for us, and he gets that as well. He will get it. He’s a bright boy. He will put his head down and understand that he must do well in order to remain on the team. He will not take any liberties. He is a humble young man who is just starting out in his career. Hopefully it will be a long and fruitful career with Sheffield United.”
Despite his “poor” admission, Wilder remains optimistic about United’s future.
Two-thirds of United’s starting midfield at Newcastle United on Saturday was formed in Sheffield, with Arblaster and long-time comrade Andre Brooks, while another city-born Blades fan, Louie Marsh, was on the bench. Young players receive no special treatment for being from the Steel City or supporting United, but it adds a depth to their game that Wilder, whose own relationship with United is well-documented, can only view as a benefit.
“You don’t have to live a mile and a half away, at Manor Top or Hackenthorpe,” Wilder added. “You don’t have to look like Billy Sharp from Pitsmoor or anything. The club does draw you in. It drew players in while I played. Brian Deane, Tony Agana, Simon Tracey, and many others continue to live in the neighbourhood. Even before that, the best player in the club’s history, Londonder Tony Currie, is not from Sheffield. Ted Hemsley and the rest of those boys.
“You don’t have to live in close proximity to stay connected. However, we must strive to dominate our area, which we are already doing. That is the advantage of performing well at the academy level. We’ve cast a wider net before, with Iliman, David Brooks, and Che Adams. But the presence of two or three Sheffield youngsters in and around the group reinforces the idea that we’re all trying to get to know the new players.”
