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Kyle should stay at Sheffield United
KYLE Naughton has been urged to continue his footballing development at Sheffield United, rather than seek a move elsewhere in the wake of rumoured interest from Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Sheffield-born Naughton's impressive start to his Bramall Lane career has earned the 20-year-old rave reviews and a call up to England Under 21 squad to face the Czech Republic on his home ground tomorrow.
A series of mature displays has also reportedly attracted admiring glances from a host of Premier League clubs.
However former Blades' favourite Dane Whitehouse, a fellow Sheffield-born Blades fan who spent his career at Bramall Lane before retiring due to injury, believes that Naughton would be best served resisting the temptation of a Premier League move and instead consolidate his education under the stewardship of Kevin Blackwell and his coaching team.
"I would definitely advise Kyle to stay at Bramall Lane and develop more here" Whitehouse, who now delivers plants and flowers around Yorkshire, told The Star.
"He's playing regular first-team football at an early age, which might not happen elsewhere.
"Obviously it would be a great honour for Kyle to play with some of the best players in the world at some stage, and I believe he is capable of it but I do think its too soon.
"The money and the glamour would be nice for him but you never know what is just around the corner - for example, me having to retire through injury.
"I would definitely tell him to stay and get more experience, playing regular first team games at Sheffield United."
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is said to have ordered a scouting report on Naughton as the Welshman contemplates spending a chunk of his considerable transfer budget on the defender, who has been a member of United's Shirecliffe Academy and Centre of Excellence programs from the age of eight.
Hopefully the speculation won't unsettle him, Whitehouse continued.
"It is flattering to know that other teams are interested as it proves that you're playing well and getting noticed.
"I made my debut for United at a similar age, 18, and it was hard coming in at such a young age. Kyle has responded well to being thrown in, but he's got a good set of players around him which takes the pressure off a little and helps you relax more.
"There is definitely more pressure playing for your home town club, because there's so many people you want to impress."
Naughton has become the subject of a media blackout imposed by the club to ensure he remains fully focused on matters on the field, rather than off it.
"We do not want him (Naughton] involved with interviews and thinking about anything but playing for us," Blackwell said.
"Kyle is still very young and inexperienced, even though we are aware that the big clubs are circling. He has quality written all over him - but I have told him that his career is not made yet.
"It has been made quite clear that he must retain his humility, to continue working hard and not to forget where he has come from.
"I am sure that he will be with us for a long time."
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
