MEATH TEENAGER SAM Curtis “has to get up to speed” if he wants to be a first-team regular at relegated Sheffield United, Blades boss Chris Wilder warned.
The 18-year-old was handed his Premier League debut on Saturday, coming off the bench for the final 27 minutes of the 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.
“He got his chance,” Wilder said in his post-match press conference when asked to assess Curtis’s performance.
“I think he will look back at it and think, wow, it’s a different league, it’s a different set-up, it’s a different pace to everything.”
Curtis was named 2023 PFAI Young Player of the Year as he helped St Patrick’s Athletic to the FAI Cup, before moving to Bramall Lane in January on a long-term deal until the summer of 2027.
Wilder said: “It wasn’t by any means an accomplished debut but it’ll give him a taste of what the Premier League is like, and how physical it is, and how quick it is.
“He has to get up to speed as well if he wants to be part of everything going forward.”
I’d say nerves played a big part in Sam’s debut performance. At least his debut on the big stage is out of the way now Well done Sam!!
He’ll get more games in the championship maybe even be their first choice right back if others leave. Definitely Ireland’s next right back.
@ashton oriordan: very likely. Baldock on the way out, and bogle can’t be trusted defensively so there is a right back slot there for him.
No wonder Sheffield United have broken relegation records with that Clown as manager.. I didn’t see Curtis’s debut and as an 18 year old in a struggling team he may have not been brilliant but surely the Managers job is to support the young players. The good news is that Sam Curtis will be there an awful lot longer than Wilder.
@Joe Connolly: fact
Surely he could say something like he did fine and have the more open conversation with him one to one.
Nice to see the young lad playing in the premier league. Hopefully he will get more minutes next weekend.
What kind of a manager churns that kind of stuff out in a debut ‘far from accomplished’. Well done to young Sam, keep the head down and you’ll do fine