Sheffield United may be celebrating success at the top end of the Championship standings, but for one former League One loanee, the future looks very uncertain – begging the question of where his long-term future lies.
The Blades have a plethora of talented individuals, from star loanees like Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Alfie Gilchrist to the popular figures of Gustavo Hamer and Harrison Burrows, meaning some players are likely to fall either out of favour or suffer a lack of minutes.
Full-back Harry Boyes is no different, with the wing-back having been reduced back to youth football for the Blades during the 2024/25 season so far.
His contract is also due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season which leaves one question – what does the future hold for him?
What experience does Boyes have so far?
The 23-year-old is a product of the Manchester City Academy but joined Sheffield United at U18s level back in July 2018.
Since arriving at Bramall Lane, Boyes has had six different loan spells away from the football club, rising up the pyramid.
His first spell was with Non-League side Bradford Park Avenue during the 2020/21 season and began to show glimpses of how good he could be.
For the following campaign, Boyes was snapped up by National League side Solihull Moors where he helped the club to reach the play-off final, making 35 appearances and contributing to five goals.
Spells on loan with Forest Green Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Lincoln City and Fleetwood Town followed with various levels of success away from Sheffield United.
He finished the 2023/24 season with Fleetwood as they suffered relegation down to League Two but is now back playing for Sheffield United’s U21s, last featuring in early December as they lost 4-3 against Coventry City in the Professional Development League.
Despite being out of favour following the arrivals of Harrison Burrows and Sam McCallum during the summer, Boyes made the bench for the Blades during a recent Championship clash against Sunderland but failed to make an appearance.
What type of player is he?
Boyes is an athletic left-back who helps to represent the newer style of modern-day full-back.
This means that instead of being a traditional left-back, sitting into a back four and refusing to get forward – he enjoys running with the ball, taking players on and creating chances for his teammates.
He has played almost 60 career matches in League One alone as well as impressing heavily at National League level, suggesting the third/fourth tier is the level he’s at.
Boyes is quick, good on the ball and can take set pieces which further adds to his versatility and ability to create opportunities at the top end of the pitch.
Where does his future lie and which clubs could be interested in him?
Currently, Sheffield United are third in the Championship having lost just four of their opening 25 league games and having the joint-second best defence in the league thus far.
With Burrows and McCallum both arriving in the summer, there is a suggestion that Chris Wilder doesn’t believe Boyes was enough to be considered a first-team option this season.
Due to his contract expiring in six months time, there is continued fuel that Boyes could be set to leave Sheffield United either in January or at the end of the campaign.
As a result of Boyes impressing massively in the fifth tier and having plenty of League One experience, a move further down the EFL appears to be the most likely option for the full-back.
Notts County are welcoming Jodi Jones back into the side from injury and have been using another winger (Josh Martin) to fulfil their left wing-back role. The addition of Boyes would give them a natural player for that position and adds pace and experience at the back.
Boyes’ most recent loan side (Fleetwood Town) have been experimenting with Phoenix Patterson in a similar role in recent weeks. However, the return of the 23-year-old would improve the defensive depth and allow Pete Wild to push Patterson further up the pitch where he is more influential.
Bristol Rovers could also be a possible option for Boyes this month. The club have been experimenting with systems in recent weeks and have used three different left-backs in their last three outings. The constant changes could imply that a regular left-back could be on the shopping list this month and Boyes’ League One experience could be crucial to ensuring they don’t suffer relegation.
Finally, fellow League One side Leyton Orient have been hugely benefitted by the form of loanee Jack Currie, but if he were to be recalled by Oxford United – a left-back would be on the shopping list. Boyes could be available on a free transfer and is a very similar style of player to Currie, with the move representing a like-for-like replacement.
Sheffield United fans, is it time to offload Harry Boyes permanently and if so, where would he be most likely to end up?
