The Femi Seriki Deep Dive | OneFootball

In a season where Sheffield United has heavily relied on its remarkable academy, there have been many stand out performers. The Russian Doll technique of pulling Sydie Peck out of the academy to replace Oliver Arblaster shows just how impressive the Shirecliffe coaches are.

The player we’re looking at today though, has been around the Blades’ first team since the Heckingbottom days. His name is Femi Seriki and he has been a revelation in recent weeks.

He’s fast, he’s strong, he’s great going forward. Seriki’s potential has to make you wonder who needs Kyle Walker?

Seriki’s general stats

Femi Seriki, 22, born in Manchester, started his career in Bury’s academy before joining Sheffield United in 2019. Whilst, this is seemingly his breakthrough season, Femi made his Premier League debut for the Blades against Newcastle in 2021.

This season, Femi has played 13 Championship matches for the Blades and once in the EFL Cup. In the Championship, he has made two starts and played 458 minutes.

One of his stand out stats is his successful dribbles (11), one of the highest amount of successful dribbles for Championship right-backs. His successful dribble percentage is 55 but suggests that Seriki is willing to take a risk. Without this confidence to take a risk, he wouldn’t have crossed for Brewster on Tuesday night and the Blades may not have got back into the game.

Whilst, much attention has been on his forward play some of his best stats have been his defensive ones.

His tackles won percentage (76.5%) places Seriki in the 81st percentile of Championship right-backs. Seriki’s duels won percentage is 66.7% and aerial duels won percentage is 81.2%. With his aerial duels won putting him in the 97th percentile making him one of the most accurate aerial right-backs in the division. Additionally, helping his attacking form is his ability to win the ball three times in the final third.

These are his stats for his off the bench appearances this season, but how has he performed in his highlight matches.

Three Key Seriki Matches

Swansea City 1-2 Sheffield United (21 January 2025)

Seriki came on for Alfie Gilchrist at half-time and along with the other substitutes turned the game around.

Helping the Blades to get onto the front foot, Seriki made two passes into the final third and two touches in Swansea’s box.

His strong dribble forward ending at the by-line saw him pull the ball back where it rebounded to Rhian Brewster to draw the Blades level. Notably, Seriki had only been on the pitch for a minute at this point.

Just seven minutes later, Seriki should have had his first official assist when he crossed to Sam McCallum again after a bursting dribble forward. Unfortunately, McCallum put his shot over the bar.

His passing was also very accurate in the game at 85% showing his impressive linkup play with his teammates.

Steel City Derby (10 November 2024)

(Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

Seriki played an impressive second-half in the Steel City Derby. His highlight in the Steel City Derby was the important slide tackle blocking Anthony Musaba’s shot. An important moment in a tense 1-0 result.

He was also very composed during the game. With 84% of his passes being accurate and winning 100% of his tackles and aerial duels.

He also continued his attacking flair with 33 touches and two passes in the final third.

Sheffield United 3-0 Oxford United (26 November 2024)

His first start and only full match for the Blades this season came against Oxford United.

Seriki had a number of top stats in the game. He completed the most dribbles (5), he was the most fouled player (twice), he was the most accurate passer (99%), and won the most duels (11). Not content with all this Seriki even added his only yellow card of the season.

Other notable stats from the game was his successful dribbles (5), touches (105), touches in the opposition box (104), and recoveries (2). He was also FotMob’s joint second-highest rated player for the Blades sharing an 8.3 rating with Tyrese Campbell and Michael Cooper. Finishing only behind double assister Gust Hamer. Bear in mind, Campbell had scored one of the goals and Cooper had added another clean sheet to his tally.

Takeaways

Ultimately, the Blades seem to have unearthed another top-quality right-back from Shirecliffe. With Seriki following in the footsteps of Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker, and Matt Lowton. Hopefully, unlike those three Seriki stays with the Blades for seasons to come.

With the Blades seemingly on the verge of adding Jonjoe Kenny to the squad, Seriki will have a new challenge. To compete with a former Premier League and Bundesliga right-back. But if he has shown anything this season it is a willingness to prove he’s up to the challenges he faces.

If Kenny does sign, Seriki allows Wilder to more seriously consider allowing the more defensively-minded Alfie Gilchrist to venture back into the centre-back role.