Why Mattie Pollock would be a future investment for Sheffield United
According to Daily Mail, Sheffield United are interested in signing 18-year-old Grimsby Town youngster Mattie Pollock ahead of the new campaign.
However, the Blades could face competition to secure the services of the teenager as Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton are also keen signing Pollock, as per the report. He has also been compared to Manchester United’s Harry Maguire for his robust frame.
Profile
Born in England, Pollock is the son of former Manchester City and Palace star Jamie Pollock. The youngster began his journey with Leeds United and Polton Allstars before joining the Mariners’ youth system.
He was promoted to the club’s senior set-up in February 2019 but found it difficult to get regular game time in his debut season. However, this season, he managed to make 27 appearances and has been at his best in the heart of Grimsby’s defence.
Pollock could be a future leader in Sheffield United’s defence
Chris Wilder’s men have been in brilliant form since their promotion to the top-flight as they managed to finish 9th in the league standings. However, they need to bring in reinforcements if they are to elevate their game and hunt for a place in the European competitions.
And one key area which needs to be strengthened is the defence. At the moment, they have three established centre-backs in John Egan, Jack O’Connell and Chris Basham. They have been regular starters and managed to concede just 39 goals in 38 games, which was the fourth-best defensive record in the league this past season.
Apart from them, Kean Bryan is the only option available. The youngster just returned from a loan spell with Bolton Wanderers. Moreover, Basham is already 32 and the Blades need to bring in a replacement with a view for the future.
In that regard, signing Pollock would help them secure the future of their defence. The youngster has shown immense potential this season and helped his side to a 13th place finish in League Two. And the fact that he has attracted interest from the top-flight clubs shows his potential.
The teenager could develop himself from Sheffield’s reserve squads before getting ready for top-flight action. And if he is able to develop under the guidance of Wilder, he could be a useful player for Sheffield.
Read more
- Why Darwin Nunez would be a future investment for Sheffield United
- Why Siriki Dembele would add some valuable depth for Sheffield United
Verdict
With Basham ageing and a lack of options at the back, the Blades are in dire need of new faces to their defensive unit. And Pollock, who has already shown immense potential, could provide them with some much-needed depth. Thus, they should manage to lure the teenager to Bramall lane at the earliest.
