The moment new signing Aaron Ramsdale proved his heart had never really left Sheffield United

Three years ago, on a Friday evening in July, Sheffield United visited Eastleigh for a friendly at Ten Acres stadium.
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It seemed a curious choice of fixture, given that Chris Wilder’s side had agreed to travel over 200 miles and negotiate rush hour traffic only eight days before reacquainting themselves with Championship competition. But the logistics were nowhere near as baffling as the weather. Hampshire, which had been bathed in sunshine earlier that afternoon, had become the epicentre of a violent storm rolling in from The Solent by the time the two teams began warming-up ahead of kick-off.

The wind and the rain, which made proper football impossible, meant only the hardiest of spectators lasted the course. Among those still huddled in the compact main stand when the referee called time was Aaron Ramsdale - the former United goalkeeper who, after joining AFC Bournemouth earlier that year, had come to congratulate his old team mates on their recent League One title triumph.

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“It’s good here isn’t it,” the youngster was overheard telling a friend, seemingly oblivious to the conditions. “I’m chuffed we made the trip ‘coz I’m looking forward to catching up.”

Thirty-seven months later, after undergoing his medical earlier this afternoon, Ramsdale has completed his return to the club which kick-started his professional career.

It is a move of huge significance - not only for the player himself but also for United who, after recruiting Chelsea’s Jamal Blackman and then Manchester United’s Dean Henderson on loan despite Simon Moore’s impressive displays during the first of two promotions under Wilder, have spent around £10m to capture someone he believes is capable of underpinning their defence for many seasons to come.

The size of the fee, and the percentage it represents of Wilder’s total recruitment budget, is a sign of his faith in Ramsdale’s potential to not only develop into one of the Premier League’s finest shot-stoppers but also his ability to do the job now. Certainly Eddie Howe, who despite parting company with Bournemouth following the relegation last term, had no qualms about Ramsdale’s talent; preferring him to both Asmir Begovic, previously of Chelsea, and Artur Boruc, who represented Celtic, Fiorentina and Southampton, before heading to Dorset, last term.

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Ramsdale was among a small handful of Howe’s squad to actually enhance their reputations during a campaign which ended, after a three month pause because of the Covid-19 pandemic, in disappointment. Indeed, after naming him as their Player of the Year, Bournemouth supporters demonstrated they did not hold the youngster culpable for their slide out of the top-flight.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signs for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Simon Bellis/SportimageGoalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signs for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signs for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Simon Bellis/Sportimage

In fact many claimed their club would have been demoted sooner - before going down on the final day - had it not been for his performances between the posts.

“Aaron has been probably the biggest surprise, although I don’t want to say ‘surprise’ because I really think he’s an exceptional goalkeeper,” Howe said recently, reflecting upon his progress. “But I suppose to everyone else he’s been a surprise.

“He’s accepted the challenge brilliantly for a young goalkeeper, which is probably the hardest position to blood young players in. He accepted that challenge and never looked back. He was magnificent for us.”

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Howe, who like his former assistant and successor Jason Tindall enjoys an excellent professional relationship with Wilder, should have excluded United from his list of people taken aback by the manner in which Ramsdale has developed. Indeed, long before Bournemouth paid around £1m to acquire his services, staff at the Steelphalt Academy, where he had enrolled as a 13-year-old following a brief spell with Bolton Wanderers, had alerted their senior counterparts to the teenager’s talents.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signs for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Simon Bellis/SportimageGoalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signs for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signs for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Darren Ward, United’s goalkeeping coach, then passed on a recommendation to Wilder after observing him in age-group action - a decision which prompted the manager to offer Ramsdale the job of becoming Moore’s understudy.

One experienced coach working on United’s youth programme at the time has told The Star that, even when he left, there was a feeling Ramsdale would eventually go on to challenge for full international honours - something Henderson appears destined to do when England face Iceland and Denmark next month.

Ramsdale, however, has big gloves to fill. Henderson, whose parent club Manchester United effectively scuppered his hopes of spending a third season with United because of their financial demands, was a driving force not only behind the South Yorkshire club’s climb out of the second tier but also their ninth placed finish last term.

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Although he will not say so publicly, Wilder privately admits that comparisons between the two are inevitable. Even if, given United’s superb defensive record under his tutelage, the statistics are a little misleading and unfair.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder (left), then AFC Bournemouth assistant manager Jason Tindall, and his predecessor Eddie Howe (right): Mark Kerton/PA WireSheffield United manager Chris Wilder (left), then AFC Bournemouth assistant manager Jason Tindall, and his predecessor Eddie Howe (right): Mark Kerton/PA Wire
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder (left), then AFC Bournemouth assistant manager Jason Tindall, and his predecessor Eddie Howe (right): Mark Kerton/PA Wire

Although Ramsdale conceded 1.42 goals per game during his breakthrough campaign - Henderson’s figure was 0.86 - the latter faced only 3.34 shots per game after renewing his temporary agreement with United. Ramsdale, as Bournemouth were weakened by injuries to the likes of Nathan Ake, Steve Cook and Simon Francis, was peppered with 4.59.

It is a measure of Ramsdale’s confidence and focus, however, that he proved more adept at making reflex saves when Howe’s men were attempting to hold onto a lead than from losing or drawing positions. Curiously, Henderson completed fewer in this situation than when United were either chasing or attempting to hang on to a point.

Although Wilder uses Bramall Lane’s analysts to help him make informed judgements in the transfer market, he has made no secret of the fact that gut instinct - or “eyes and ears” as he puts it - ultimately decides his list of targets. One quality Wilder insists is a prerequisite for any successful goalkeeper at United - personality - is impossible to calculate numerically.

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A glance at Ramsdale’s CV, which includes placements at Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon, who were both battling for survival when he arrived, confirms the 22-year-old has experience of dealing with high pressure situations. That should serve him well as he looks to not only replace Henderson but also fend-off the challenge of Wes Foderingham, who was unveiled by United earlier this summer after parting company with Rangers.

“Every ‘keeper who has done well here that I can remember has had a little bit about them,” Wilder, a lifelong United fan, said when assessing Henderson’s character. “I think it takes a special person to become the number one for United - you’ve got to show it.”

He is clearly convinced Ramsdale, who has matured beyond recognition since his jaunt to Eastleigh, has that capability.

Aaron Ramsdale is heading back to Sheffield United from AFC Bournemouth: Jan Kruger/Getty ImagesAaron Ramsdale is heading back to Sheffield United from AFC Bournemouth: Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Aaron Ramsdale is heading back to Sheffield United from AFC Bournemouth: Jan Kruger/Getty Images

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