Who is Sheffield United target Charlie Savage? | OneFootball

Another day, another new rumour for the injury-stricken Blades. The most recent courtesy of CaughtOffside’s Jacque Talbot. The player in question is Charlie Savage, 21.

But who is he?

Savage’s Youth Career

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Savage, who plays primarily as a central midfielder, but can play as a defensive midfielder, is the son of Robbie Savage. If Charlie signs for the Blades he would be adding to the club’s growing collection of former footballers’ sons.

Outside of his famous father, Charlie has already had a very interesting career of his own. Born in Leicester and standing at 6 ft, Savage learnt his trade on the books of Manchester United’s academy. His time with the red side of Manchester began in their U9s.

His breakout season in the academy came for the Red Devils’ U18s in 2020/21. He played 25 times for the club in the U18s Premier League scoring 3 goals and getting 8 assists. He even featured twice for the U23s despite being only 17.

The following season, Savage became a fairly regular player for the Red Devils’ U23s. He played 21 times, scoring twice and getting an assist.

In January 2023, Savage, still part of the academy, was loaned to Forest Green Rovers. He made 15 League Two appearances and even scored a goal as he made his first steps into professional football. The goal itself earnt him Forest Green Rovers’ Goal of the Season award.

Champions League

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In between his time in Manchester United’s youth academy and his loan to Forest Green Rovers, Savage played in the Champions League.

His one UCL appearance so far, came against Young Boys in 2020/2021. Then Red Devils’ Boss Ralf Rangnick brought Savage on for second-half added time on the 89th minute. In this short time Savage made two successful passes and five touches.

Whilst a small cameo, Champions League experience is Champions League experience. Plus, an interesting way to make his Manchester United debut and play his only game for the club.

Becoming a Royal

In the Summer of 2023, Charlie Savage joined Reading on a four-year-deal for the Royals first season since relegation to League One.

It didn’t take Savage long to get off the mark for Reading. Just 17 days after signing on 22 July, Savage scored his first Royals goal in the EFL Cup on 8 August 2023.

Impressively for his first major season in men’s football (2023/2024), Savage played 45 games in all competitions, with 40 coming in League One alone. In these games, Savage managed to get five goals and two assists in all competitions.

This Season

Savage has started the 24/25 season strongly. He has played in all but one of Reading’s 24 league matches, starting 18, as they sit sixth in League One. He has improved on his goal contributions with six goals and six assists in all competitions in just 28 total games.

Using data from FutMob, Savage ranks among the best central midfielders in League One when it comes to shooting. His 4 goals are double that of his xG (1.94 goals). He has taken 35 shots and got 10 of them on target.

From a passing perspective, Savage has made 466 successful passes so far this season and he has created 17 chances. Where he performs worse than other central midfielders in League One is in his long ball accuracy (32.3% success rate) and his crossing accuracy (10.2% accuracy). But at 21, there is plenty of time for him to improve these stats.

Defensively, Savage is among the best in terms of tackles won (21), blocks made (13) and possession won in the final third (10). Although, defensive areas to improve compared to other third division central midfielders are duels won (38.6%) and aerial duels won (29.6%). But again, as a young player, under the tutelage of Chris Wilder, he can improve these areas. For proof, look no further than the Blades’ resident battler, Sydie Peck.

Ultimately, his time at Reading so far shows an impressive top League One central midfielder, with the promise and potential to play at a higher level.

International Football Experience

Progressing through the ranks of Wales U17s to U21s, Savage has made two appearances for the Wales national team.

His most recent start for Wales saw him play a friendly against Gibraltar in June 2024. He played 78 minutes as part of a central midfield three in a 3-5-2 formation. He completed 92% of his passes (72/78), took two shots and created a chance. Plus, he started with Blades’ keeper, Adam Davies and played 18 minutes with Kieffer Moore after the Blades’ target man entered the field on the hour mark.

Strangely, his first ever start for the national team also came against Gibraltar in an October 2023 friendly. This time he played the full match and made the most passes in the game (134). More impressively for his Blades’ application, he can stick a Kieffer Moore assist on his CV. His cross found Moore who headed into the top corner to make it 4-0 before half-time.

Takeaways

It’s important to note, that Charlie Savage is highly-sort after. With the CaughtOffside report mentioning interest from Norwich City and Stoke City.

But from the evidence above, the Blades should be trying to win the race for the midfielder. One of Savage’s greatest qualities is his amount of appearances in the last two seasons. For a club with such horrific injury luck, a player able to play so frequently is gold dust.

Whilst, it can be argued that both the defence and the attack need more attention. Blades midfielders’ like Tom Davies, Sydie Peck and Gus Hamer, are giving everything to keep the Blades in the promotion hunt. So, bringing in a player like Savage should be almost as high a priority to avoid any of the current midfielders overexerting and risking their long-term fitness.

Plus, signing him from a League One side would likely mean a permanent move which is always more beneficial than a loan.