Alfie Gilchrist has described his loan move to Sheffield United as a great opportunity and is really looking forward to getting started.
Chelsea confirmed on Wednesday that Gilchrist had completed his loan move to the Blades following a breakthrough campaign under Mauricio Pochettino last season.
Gilchrist made 17 appearances for the first team and scored his first goal for the club in the 6-0 win against Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Gilchrist looking forward to Sheffield United challenge
A loan move makes perfect sense for Gilchrist given the fierce competition for places at the club and the Championship is a great division for any youngster to cut their teeth in.
The 20-year-old, who has been at Chelsea since the age of 11 and signed a new deal until 2026 with the option of a further 12 months earlier this year said he’s looking forward to getting started.
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“I am really looking forward to it,” he told Sheffield United’s website.
“It is a great opportunity which the club and the manager have given to me. I am just looking forward to getting started.
“It has always been the plan to showcase what I can do in the Premier League with the chances I’ve had, so now I want to try and do that week in, week out, here.
“This is a new challenge. I am taking myself out of my comfort zone. I’ve been there (at Chelsea) a while now, so I am ready to kick on. I came here last season for an away day, and seeing the fans and how they get behind the team, how much they love it, I was impressed.”
Gilchrist, who was named Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Year last season is a versatile player who can operate at right and left back but prefers to play centrally, and he becomes the next youngster to complete a loan move after Andrey Santos returned to Strasbourg.
