The men who first suspected Aaron Ramsdale was made of the right stuff for Sheffield United

So special in fact that, as he watched how he trained and just as importantly carried himself, it reminded him of someone he had crossed paths with at Shrewsbury Town around a decade earlier.

“I thought ‘This kid is the best I’ve seen since Joe Hart, I can see a lot of the same things in him’ - and he didn’t go on to do too badly did he,” Wadsworth, who encountered the future England international during a spell at Gay Meadow, remembers. “Yes, they were different. But they had lots of the same characteristics; all of the ones, in fact, that you really need to make it. Ability is obviously one of them, but so are drive and self-belief.”

The player Wadsworth is referring to is Aaron Ramsdale. And as Ramsdale’s progress demonstrates, with both Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth, Wadsworth clearly knows a player; as you would expect of someone who, before becoming Bramall Lane’s senior youth development coach, worked with the likes of Alan Shearer, Derek Mountfield and Gary Speed during a career also encompassing stints with Carlisle, Beira Mar, Southampton and Newcastle, where he served as Sir Bobby Robson’s assistant.

Midway through last week, when Ramsdale rejoined United three years after being lured to the south coast, Wadsworth watched his official unveiling from afar after leaving his position at the club following a behind the scenes reshuffle. But he was not surprised to hear Ramsdale, now an England under-21 international, being touted as one of the country’s most exciting talents. Indeed, listening to Wadsworth describe his most impressive attributes, it becomes apparent why Chris Wilder, who admitted he “reluctantly” sacrificed Ramsdale to lay the foundations for United’s rapid rise through the divisions, believes he is capable of filling the very big gloves Dean Henderson leaves behind. The 34 clean sheets Henderson kept before returning to Manchester United proved instrumental as, after helping Wilder’s squad climb out of the Championship, they finished ninth in the Premier League last term.

“The big thing that stood out about Aaron was his desire to become better,” Wadsworth says. “He was determined to do it. And you got the sense he knew he could do it, and clearly he has.

“It quickly became obvious, to everyone who watched him, that he had the aptitude to take on board what he was being told and apply that information. His presence on the pitch improved and an aura, if you like, developed around him. The guys in the top building clearly saw it because they invited him to train with them. And that’s why, after not too long, we started encouraging the people from England to watch him.”

Ramsdale made two appearances for United and won caps at under-18 and under-19 level before being sold for around £1m. After being loaned to Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon soon after heading to Bournemouth, Eddie Howe was impressed to select him ahead of Artur Boruc and Asmir Begovic when United visited The Vitality Stadium on the opening weekend of the previous campaign. Although Howe was unable to steer Bournemouth to safety, announcing his departure following their relegation, Ramsdale repaid that faith - enhancing his reputation with a series of commanding displays over the course of 36 more league games.

Like Wadsworth, Jamie Annerson, a former United player who went on to become their academy goalkeeping coach, quickly recognised Ramsdale had the necessary traits.

“He’d just been released by Bolton when he came to us,” Annerson, who now works for the FA, says. “He’d been to a few trials, had some indifferent feedback, but even though he was long-levered, lean and skinny back then, we could see he'd develop muscle wise.

“What struck me most, though, was his personality - how strong his character was. He was really comfortable in the environment and really grounded.”

Annerson provides an example to illustrate the point.

“Aaron’s originally from Stoke, but even before he became a scholar, he was the last to leave the training ground,” he continues. “Then, when he got that deal, he would do his college work and come back to help me coach the younger academy lads. That says a lot about him. He could have been back in his digs, doing whatever, but instead he showed a real interest in working with other people and helping them get better too.”

Wilder likes to surround himself with low maintenance but highly driven professionals. According to Annerson, that made Ramsdale the obvious choice to succeed Henderson when he travelled back to Old Trafford.

“He’s got strong family values. His mum, dad and brother were always there supporting him. His values reflect the club. That means he’ll bond with the fans too.”

Ramsdale, now aged 22, spoke about the possibility of eventually joining Henderson in the senior England squad after completing his move for an undisclosed eight figure sum.

“At the beginning, distribution was strength,” Annerson reflects. “Now he’s got physically stronger and that’s also what England look for in ‘keepers.”

Ramsdale will spend this week reacquainting himself with his United colleagues at a training camp in Scotland, ahead of September 14th’s curtain-raiser against Wolves.

“I’ve heard Aaron mention it’s inevitable people will compare him with Dean,” Wadsworth acknowledges. “He’s correct. But although there’s lots of similarities, they’re different and he’s a top drawer player in his own right.”

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