Wilder may have found Sheffield United's next Osula in "great" teenage star

Whilst Chris Wilder does love to use a lot of experienced heads, seen in the likes of 32-year-old Kieffer Moore in attack and 31-year-old Jack Robinson in the heart of defence, Sheffield United this season have also gained lots of joy from their pool of youngsters.

Before his campaign was derailed by injury, academy product Ollie Arblaster was definitely enjoying his football in the senior ranks with two goals and an assist next to his name from 12 Championship matches, with Wilder then handing over some of the midfield responsibilities to fellow homegrown gem Sydie Peck.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder reacts after the match

Unfortunately, as is the nature of the beast, the promotion-chasing Blades haven’t always been able to keep a firm grip on the cream of the crop that comes from their academy, with a former starlet now making waves for his Premier League employers away from South Yorkshire.

William Osula’s rise at Newcastle United

It would have come as a shock to some when William Osula left Sheffield behind in the summer of 2024 for Newcastle United, considering the Scandinavian striker had only scored three times for the Blades from 30 appearances.

The price tag would have equally raised eyebrows, with the Magpies forking out £15m to win the 6 foot 4 ace’s services barely four seasons into his development at Bramall Lane.

But, Eddie Howe’s side might well feel justified now in splashing the cash for the 21-year-old when you take a glance at the Dane’s performance against Birmingham City last time out in the FA Cup.

Osula was a constant livewire against the League One leader, with two assists coming his way by the full-time whistle to help his Premier League side overcome the tricky Blues in a barnstorming 3-2 win.

Whilst there will be a slight bad taste in United’s mouth that Osula never blossomed into a top performer at his boyhood club, they could well have their next version of the Magpies star in this promising attacker who is being eyed up by some Premier League admirers already.

Sheffield United’s next Osula

It will be very hard for this up-and-coming starlet to gain minutes for the rest of the season you imagine, considering Wilder will obviously be looking to use both Tom Cannon and Ben Brereton Diaz as much as possible as two flashy new purchases up top.

But, it isn’t completely outside the realms of possibility that 18-year-old Ryan One will also be utilised as another option in attack, having already made quite an impression in the senior game for his side this season.

After lighting up many a youth pitch for the Blades with his blistering pace and expert finishing since his move from Scotland in 2023, One has been chucked into the deep end of the first team many a time this campaign so far with his first-ever goal for Wilder’s men coming against Bristol City back in November.

In total, the promising teenager now has ten league games under his belt across 2024/25, with Wilder even going as far as to gift the United number 39 two starts and to label him as a “great” prospect for how well he’s adjusted to the tough environment of the Championship.

Wilder’s options in the striker department – 24/25
Player	Games played	Goals scored
Ben Brereton Diaz	18	1
Tom Cannon	28	11
Tyrese Campbell	20	6
Rhian Brewster	28	2
Kieffer Moore	20	5
Ryan One	12	1
Sourced by Transfermarkt

Whilst there are five other faces in the well-stocked striker department away from One, both Tyrese Campbell and Moore are prone to picking up injuries, whilst the likes of Tom Cannon have a lot of pressure on their shoulders to live up to their Stoke City best with 11 goals tallied up for the Potters.

Therefore, the teenager could end up being a worthwhile utility body for Wilder to call upon, with interest in his services already reportedly emerging from Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town.