Does this transfer-listed star deserve another chance at Sheffield United?

The 2014-15 season saw promising nineteen-year-old forward Diego De Girolamo honoured with a new two-year contract at Sheffield United. One year later, the club have placed him on the transfer list.

At only twenty-years-old, the Chesterfield-born Italy youth international has been deemed surplus to requirements by new Blades manager Chris Wilder. However, with youth and potential still on his side, the club may want to rethink letting the player go.

Labelled as one of the most promising young talents in Europe last season, De Girolamo was reportedly approached by Napoli, Benfica and Juventus prior to signing the Sheffield United deal in July 2015. 

He has been capped at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level for the Italian national side and many United fans saw him as an exciting new talent destined to shine in a team full of unfulfilled potential.

However, the player has never been able to cement his place in the Blades line-up and has been placed on the transfer list alongside Paul Coutts, Kieron Freeman and Dean Hammond.

His limited game time may be the reason why he has never been fully able to prove his worth.

Diego made his debut against Coventry City in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in December 2012 and his first goal for the team came against Preston North End in the FA Cup in January 2015. His goal at Deepdale earned United a fourth-round replay.

De Girolamo only played ten times in all competitions for the Blades in 2015-16, with six of these appearances coming from the bench.

For a player who was thought to be the next wonderkid, it is a mystery why no United manager decided to play him regularly so that he could live up to his huge potential.

Former Blades boss Nigel Adkins only gave De Girolamo one appearance this season, which came against Fulham in a 3-0 League Cup defeat. He played just 66 minutes in total.

He was able to gain first-team experience in League Two as a loanee with York City and Northampton Town in 2014-15. At Northampton Town, De Girolamo made six appearances but failed to score.

However, he made twelve appearances and managed four goals when on loan at York City. This experience was vital for Diego, a player who has been with the United Academy since the age of seven.

It could be argued that De Girolamo has been lacking opportunities to prove his talent in the United first-team. He has spent most of his time this season with the Sheffield United Under-21 side, who lost 2-1 to Huddersfield Town in the Professional Development League 2 play-off final last month.

De Girolamo posed a huge threat to the Huddersfield Town goal all match, although could not beat the Terriers goalkeeper Ryan Schofield.

It is rare for a young player to be a dead-ball specialist, but Diego has been a dependable free-kick taker for the Under-21 side all season. United and Wilder must value this in some way.

With a summer clear-out at Sheffield United currently in place, there may still be hope for him to become a valuable asset to the team. The release of star forward Jose Baxter and striker Conor Sammon last month can help De Girolamo with his plans to break into the first-team.

United have also released midfielder Ryan Flynn, defender Harrison McGahey and winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce which means that the club will be searching for talented players to fill up these positions.

Why look into the transfer market to fill these positions when a player of Diego’s calibre is already available?

With promotion to the Championship the main aim for the Blades, Wilder has recently added Bury defender Chris Hussey and Birmingham City winger Mark Duffy to the team.

Will Diego be lining up with both of them at Bramall Lane next season? Only time will tell.

 By Jade Shelley