Exclusive:Sheffield United new boy outlines approach Blades fans will love as World Cup finalist offers inspiration
Romelle Donovan has no intention of playing safe at Bramall Lane, with the Sheffield United new boy revealing the influence of Lamine Yamal and explaining why creativity always comes before caution.
Romelle Donovan, the Sheffield United new boy, has offered an insight into the positive approach he hopes will get Unitedites off their seats as he prepares for a big second chance in the Championship. The Brentford winger signed for the Blades on loan last week.
There were promising signs in a 45-minute debut at Chesterfield on Saturday and more minutes are expected in tomorrow’s [Friday] friendly against Levante, at the end of the Blades’ warm-weather camp in Spain.
Donovan has previous experience of the second tier after a loan spell with Stoke City a few years back and has arrived at Bramall Lane as a direct replacement for Andre Brooks, who was sold to Championship rivals Norwich City earlier this month.
Boss Chris Wilder made no secret of his desire to add more experience to his squad this summer but there is also a heavy youthful influence, with Donovan joining the likes of Sydie Peck, Oliver Arblaster, Femi Seriki and Ryan One at Bramall Lane.
That blend will be important, with players at the younger end of the scale often showing a fearlessness that has sometimes been beaten out of their more experienced teammates. Donovan has that bravery in spades - but insists it is simply the way he has always played, rather than something born of youth.
"For me, that's not really the experience aspect,” he said. “I'd say that's more of my game. I could have played 400 games at this age or whatever age, and I still would try and beat my man.
“I feel like that's just in me to go and do. That's a big aspect of my game because my role as a winger is to create. I don't want to be playing safe and coming back out and choosing the easier option, because that's not creative. I've looked up to players around my age, like Lamine Yamal and players like that.
“Even players younger nowadays, like Max Dowman and people like that. And they're just fearless. I feel like that's a big aspect of my game. At the end of the day, I know fullbacks don't want to be getting run at for an entire game.”
Despite still being only 19, Donovan seems to have the emotional maturity to recognise there is a balance to strike. Running at defenders remains his greatest strength, but he admits knowing when to recycle possession is still an area he wants to develop.
“You've got to be fearless. You've got to not think about getting tackled. But you also have to be wise, you know, that sometimes you have to move the ball around.
“I feel like that's an aspect of my game that I need to learn, truthfully. But yeah, you can't go into a 1v1 thinking, what if I lose the ball here? And I don't. I just feel like once I've got my defender 1v1 and I've squared him up, then that's my time to showcase what I'm about."