Chelsea loan review: Analysis of Sheffield United loanee Alfie Gilchrist

Simply put, Alfie Gilchrist has started his season well on loan at Sheffield United. He has featured in every league game so far, starting 10 of the Blades’ first 12 matches.

The 20-year-old has already seemingly cemented himself as a right-back in United’s new 4-2-3-1 formation, and it’s not that he has no competition.

Jamie Shackleton arrived from Leeds United in the summer and academy product Femi Seriki – two years Gilchrist’s senior – looks much improved, but both have been limited to a few appearances on the right flank, primarily due to the Chelsea loanee’s performances.

One thing is clear: Gilchrist loves to defend himself. He excels at tackles, headers and blocks, and he celebrates a good defensive play the same way a striker celebrates a goal. Gilchrist’s pace, concentration and attitude helped him get the job done regularly and the fans really loved him for it all.

Gilchrist has already made one attacking assist and will no doubt be looking to score more goals, but given his age and experience, we hope his performance will improve the more he plays in the Championship.

Sheffield United have built a reputation in recent years for developing ambitious Premier League loan players – Dean Henderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, James McAtee and Tommy Doyle to name just four – and in the first few months of this season Gilchrist looks set to become even more one quality top level player.