19-year-old tipped for Sheffield United breakthrough - Patrick Bamford factor dropped | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit wants to see Ryan One more involved in the Blades squad next season

Ryan One has had an electric start to life at Lincoln City, averaging a goal every 42 minutes in his five League One appearances thus far.

The 19-year-old Sheffield United loanee has only made one start in the third tier since making the switch to the LNER stadium, but that's not stopped him from getting on the scoresheet regularly, scoring three times and contributing to a Lincoln frontline that has scored at least four goals in three of the last five games.

One is highly rated at Bramall Lane, having broken into the side somewhat last season, and the 19-year-old is showing clear Championship quality while at the League One title hopefuls.

If he carries on in this vein of form and becomes one of the driving forces in Lincoln's promotion and maybe even title push, then nothing should be stopping him from being a regular fixture in the Sheffield United fold more often next season, especially if Chris Wilder's side falls short of finishing in the play-offs this year.

Sheffield United fan pundit backs Ryan One to play more games at Bramall Lane next season

Ultimately, the highly saturated striker position at Bramall Lane worked against One this season, as the additions of Patrick Bamford and Danny Ings to go alongside Tyrese Campbell and Tom Cannon made it very difficult for the 19-year-old to get regular game time.

However, with Cannon and Campbell having rather lacklustre campaigns, and Ings' contract expiring at the end of the season, FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit, Jimmy, who hosts the Blades Ramble podcast, backs One to become Bamford's understudy next term.

"It's something that we've been talking about recently, actually, what the forward line for Sheffield United will look like next season," he said.

"Patrick Bamford will undoubtedly lead the line, provided he stays fit, and I'd like to see Ryan One in the lineup, too.

"I think that Danny Ings will leave, and Campbell and Cannon haven't hit the heights that we've hoped for this season, so I think that puts One's name right in the mix."

The one game that One has started since he made the loan switch to Lincoln came as a right-winger, in which he scored in a 4-0 win over Northampton Town, so that versatility could also help the 19-year-old forge his way into the Blades fold next season, even if Jimmy sees him more as a striker.

"I know he's been playing out on the right, so maybe that's an option for us as well, to provide competition for Andre Brooks, who has had a brilliant season for us as well," he continued.

"I think the majority of people think he will be a centre-forward, though, and who better to learn from than Patrick Bamford?

"I'm really looking forward to the future for him."

Ryan One would be the perfect contingency plan if Sheffield United have to sell this summer

If Sheffield United don't secure promotion this season, they'll go into the next Championship campaign not in receipt of any Premier League parachute payments for the first time since their initial promotion year back in 2019.

We've seen the likes of Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion as late as having to operate rather safely when it comes to balancing the books without the extra money coming in.

If the Blades are forced to sell some of their assets, or not spend as freely as they may like, then One would be a brilliant option to integrate into the squad more regularly next season.

He's already performing well for a side right at the top of League One, and at just 19 years of age, the exciting Scot could actually be an upgrade to some of those who may have to leave Bramall Lane this summer.