Why Sheffield United will have double frustration at what’s happening at Leeds United right now | OneFootball

Both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jayden Bogle are excelling in the Premier League, much to Sheffield United's dismay

Sheffield United had a lot to be envious of when it came to Leeds United last season, as they ultimately fell away from the promotion race at the worst time, conceding top spot to the Whites and then subsequently failing in the play-offs.

There was a year-long spell where Sheffield United were the top team in Yorkshire in 2019, then again when they were the only side from the country in the Premier League in 2023/24.

That's changed now, and last season's Premier League champions are looking to subvert the expectations of a newly promoted side over the past couple of years and stay up at the first time of asking.

Meanwhile, the Blades started their second successive Championship campaign very slowly, but are starting to find their feet once again and are hoping for a boost towards the play-offs in the second half of the campaign.

Ironically, the man leading the line for Sheffield United currently is former Leeds man Patrick Bamford. His history at Elland Road is well-known, but what isn't too renowned is that the White's star man this season, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, is actually a product of the Blades academy.

With Calvert-Lewin up top and former Sheffield United right-back Jayden Bogle at the back, the Whites are making a fist of remaining in the Premier League.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jayden Bogle's history at Sheffield United prior to their Leeds United switches

Bogle spent four years at Bramall Lane before he moved to Elland Road ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, making over 100 appearances for the club.

Calvert-Lewin, however, only managed 12 during his time with the Blades after coming through their academy.

The Sheffield-born striker was a big part of Northampton Town's 2015/16 League Two title-winning campaign while on loan there from the Blades during the first half of the season.

The then-18-year-old returned to his parent club in January and made sporadic appearances for the then-League One side, before Everton came in with a £1.5 million deal to bring him to the Premier League in the summer of 2016.

Calvert-Lewin never actually scored a goal in any of his appearances while at Sheffield United, and the potential of the frontman for his boyhood club was taken away before it could even begin.

As for Bogle, it was the Blades this time taking away a young prospect from the side he'd grown through the academy with, as they made a £15 million deal with Derby County for both him and fellow wing-back Max Lowe ahead of their second season in the Premier League in 2020.

Unfortunately, despite making 50 Premier League appearances for Sheffield United, the right-back wasn't cut out defensively for the division at the time, especially in the 2023/24 campaign, where he made 34 appearances in the side that conceded a record 104 goals across the year.

So, Bogle's time at Bramall Lane isn't remembered too fondly, and Calvert-Lewin didn't spend enough time there for his time to be remembered at all. But they both have those connections, and seeing them excel in the Premier League for a rival club can't feel good.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jayden Bogle have performed exceptionally in the Premier League for Leeds United

There's always been some frustration from those inside Bramall Lane when Calvert-Lewin registered 10-goal seasons in the top flight and got England caps while at Everton. That time, however, had seemed to have come to an end.

In his last four Premier League campaigns, the 28-year-old scored just 17 goals. But in 15 games so far this season, Leeds' frontman has seven already, and the rumours about a potential England recall are swirling just in time for the World Cup in the summer.

Then, towards the back line, Bogle has improved defensively from his time at Bramall Lane, and his already impressive attacking forays are even better. The 25-year-old is always a threat going forward, and Daniel Farke's switch to a five-back system has allowed him to focus more on that part of his game.

Fans will always want to see their former players do well, but there'll be some bitterness if they're performing better than their side currently is.

That's there with Sheffield United now, but the sour taste is worsened by the fact that this Leeds team could have been them if they hadn't undergone the collapse at the end of last season. Add to the fact that they're Yorkshire rivals, and the feeling must be unbearable.

The focus at Bramall Lane is to ensure that their stay in the Championship doesn't last any longer than it needs to. But there'll be some eyes across West Yorkshire, too, wishing that their former players weren't performing admirably for their rivals.