Exclusive:Sheffield United retain transfer interest in Chelsea starlet amid Portsmouth spell, "joke" verdict
Chelsea sensation Ryan Kavuma-McQueen was on Sheffield United's radar in the summer and has continued to impress at Championship rivals Portsmouth, with the Blades monitoring his progress as they plan for the future.
Sheffield United are keeping tabs on Chelsea winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen this season, The Star understands, as part of their longer-term planning beyond this term. The teenager is earning rave reviews on loan at Championship rivals Portsmouth.
The winger picked up an assist in Pompey’s 3-2 win over United at Fratton Park last month and also earned Hamza Choudhury a red card after drawing two fouls from the United right-back.
The England U20 international was allowed out in the summer for his first senior loan and was on the Blades’ radar then, although United opted for a little more experience in their pursuit of an Andre Brooks replacement.
The Blades enquired about Romain Esse and Amario Cozier-Duberry but Crystal Palace and Brighton initially would only consider permanent deals, before sanctioning their exits to Millwall and Middlesbrough respectively late in the window.
United couldn’t afford to wait and had already signed Romelle Donovan, with the Brentford loanee also impressing fans with his ability and attitude. But he is scheduled to return to London at the end of the season and United, we have been told, will keep monitoring Kavuma-McQueen.
Speaking to our sister ‘paper the Portsmouth News after beating the Blades, defender Zak Swanson described Kavuma-McQueen as “a joke” and added: “You actually forget he’s 17.
“He’s built like he’s a lot older than 17. He’s so exciting, there is so much to his game that is so exciting. He’ll only get better, 100 per cent, and he’ll definitely go on to have a very good career.
“He got the assist [against United] and when his decision making is at the top level, he’ll be frightening. Being a full-back trying to defend against him isn’t nice. I feel sorry for any full-back that has to play against him because he’s got absolutely everything to his game.
“As a wide player he’s strong, quick, aggressive and he wants to get at you every single time. Sometimes you want him to conserve a bit of energy but he’s so, so good at the one-v-one. And he’ll only get better.’”