Put simply, Alfie Gilchrist has made a strong start to his season-long loan spell at Sheffield United. He has featured in every league game so far, starting 10 out of the Blades’ first 12 fixtures.
The 20-year-old already looks to have locked down the right-back role in United’s new-look 4-2-3-1 formation and it is not that he does not have competition.
Jamie Shackleton arrived in the summer from Leeds United and academy product Femi Seriki – two years senior to Gilchrist – looks much improved, but both have been limited to a handful of appearances on the right, primarily because of the Chelsea loanee’s performances.
What is clear is that Gilchrist absolutely loves defending. He thrives on a tackle, a header, a block and he celebrates a good piece of defending just as much as a striker would celebrate a goal. Gilchrist’s pace, concentration and positioning regularly put him in the right place to do his job, and the fans have really taken to him for all of this.
Gilchrist has already contributed one assist from an attacking perspective, and he will undoubtedly want more goal contributions, but given his age and experience, his tally will hopefully improve the more he plays in the Championship.
Sheffield United have built a reputation in recent years for developing aspiring Premier League loanees – Dean Henderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, James McAtee and Tommy Doyle to name but four – and on the first few months of this season, Gilchrist looks on course to be another quality, top-flight player.