Who is Sheffield United target Harry Darling? | OneFootball

I know what your thinking. We know who he is he literally got red card against the Blades a week ago today. It’s even the lead photo of the article. Whilst this is true, there is more to Harry Darling, the Blades’ latest centre-back target according to the Sheffield Star.

The Blades have reportedly shown interest in the player since 2022. So, why has Wilder returned to targeting Darling despite last week’s fiery moment in South Wales?

Youth Career

In 2011, Darling joined Cambridge United’s academy but left after just a year. So he joined Newmarket Town’s youth team, where, in 2015, he was again spotted by Cambridge.

In October 2016, he was given a professional contract at Cambridge and made his debut on 8 November 2016 in the EFL Cup.

Cambridge United Loans

During his early years of being a professional at Cambridge, Darling was loaned out on four occasions.

His first was to Bishop’s Stortford in the National League South where he played twice in 2016-2017.

Then he went to Hampton & Richmond where he again played twice. His third loan of the season to Southern Football League side Royston Town saw a career high of eight games. Before finishing the 2017-2018 season with his third loan at East Thurrock United back in the National League North.

Cambridge Breakthrough

Whilst, he made his full league debut on 13 January 2018, Darling would only begin to get double-figure appearances from the 2018-2019 season onwards.

In 2018-2019, Darling played 17 times for Cambridge, 12 of which came in the league. Darling got an assist during the campaign.

In 2019-2020, Darling got his most appearances to date for Cambridge United. He played 30 times, and made 24 league appearances. He contributed two goals and an assist.

In 2020-2021, his appearances reduced to 16 in League Two and four in the EFL Trophy. He managed a goal in the EFL Cup and a league assist as Cambridge gained automatic promotion to League 1. His limited appearances that season were as a result of a move to MK Dons in January 2021.

Joining MK Dons

On 22 January 2021, Darling joined League One side MK Dons on an undisclosed fee.

In the second-half of the season he made 23 appearances at the Stadium MK. It was here where he met manager Russell Martin as MK Dons finished 13th. Despite only playing for half the season, he earnt the title of the club’s Young Player of the Year.

The 2021/2022 season saw Darling have his best season yet. Testament to his fitness, Darling played 49 games, 43 in League One. More impressively, he scored ten goals in total and got one assist. Unbelievable stats for a centre-back. His brilliant displays saw him earn a place in the PFA League One Team of the Year and be named MK Dons Player of the Year.

Becoming a Swan

After bowing out as a firm favourite at MK Dons the season before. Darling was brought to Championship Swansea City by former manager Russell Martin on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. With that deal still in tact his contract is running out this summer.

He carried on his goalscoring momentum in the Championship contributing four goals and an assist in his first season playing 31 times. Last season, Darling remained consistently great for Swansea despite Russell Martin’s departure. He played 38 Championship games scoring three times and getting two assists.

Both seasons proving his overall consistent fitness record. A plus for any Blades signing that so far he stays fit for the season.

How does he compare to Harry Souttar?

Similarly to when we analysed Jimmy Dunne, Harry Darling is a candidate to replace Harry Souttar. So how do the two compare this season?

Before getting to the stats, let’s address the height issue in the room. Darling is six foot two just five inches shorter than Harry Souttar. Who again comes with the disclaimer of being rare in his height advantage to other footballers.

Defensively per 90

Defensively, Harry Souttar is on top. It’s unsurprising given he plays for a promotion hopeful compared to lower mid-table Swansea. As Souttar has more defensive cover to allow him to play with more confidence than Darling at Swansea. However, Souttar deserves his own credit.

Souttar’s successful tackles per 90 (0.61), clearances per 90 (5.5), headed clearances per 90 (3.11) and interceptions per 90 (1.27) all beat Darling’s same stats. With Darling’s successful tackles (0.33), clearances per 90 (4.74), headed clearances (2.09) and interceptions per 90 (0.73) impressive but lower than Souttar’s high standards.

Goal scoring and attacking per 90

Darling in the battle of the centre-back Harrys is the better going forward. Darling has two goals so far this season to Souttar’s zero.

He has almost twice as good shot accuracy at 48% to Souttar’s 25%. He also has more shots per 90 at 0.84 to Souttar’s 0.41 and has had a total 23 shots to Souttar’s eight.

Darling has also contributed three assists for Swansea to Harry Souttar’s zero. Darling is also matching his xG (2.0) with his two goals this season.

Other interesting stats

Darling as seen from his attacking stats is unsurprisingly better on the ball than Souttar making 0.29 successful dribbles per 90 to Souttar’s 0.2. Plus, he has also made 60.1 accurate passes per 90 to Souttar’s 53.1. Whilst close it is good to see Darling’s competency on the ball.

Takeaways

Ultimately, Darling is a centre-back who has steadily been on the rise for a few seasons now. With all due respect to Swansea City, he does seem to be a player ready for a new challenge.

Perhaps, that challenge is to a top-end Championship side like the Blades where he can earn a Premier League place by helping us to promotion.

Other benefits to signing Darling is his first-name. This means Ahmedhodzic and Robinson can continue to shout Harry during matches. Leading to a potentially smoother bedding in period.

Seriously though, Darling could be a great signing as he not only covers a hole in a defensively thin squad. But also has the goalscoring form to contribute to the ‘Goals For’ tally. Which more of the squad need to help with given the injury records of our strikers.