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Is this new signing from Sheffield Wednesday ready for life in the Championship?

Former Manchester United academy star Charlie McNeill recently completed his move to Sheffield Wednesday, but is he ready for life in the Championship?

The striker played for both Manchester City and Man United at youth level, with over 600 goals scored. He will go on to join the Red Devils in 2020 for a fee of £750,000.

Is this new signing from Sheffield Wednesday ready for life in the Championship?

After an exceptional career at the academy level, a moving on loan to Newport County would be completed in January 2023. For the League Two side, he would find the net just twice in 20 appearances. Despite the low number, a first loan in the Football League is difficult for centre-forwards, given the physicality present in the English pyramid.

Following the period spent in exile, a move to Stevenage would be next. For Boro, he would score a debut goal against Leyton Orient. However, he would only go on to play two more games and was recalled by Erik ten Hag in January 2024.

For the remainder of the campaign, the striker would play for Manchester United’s U21 side in Premier League 2, where he scored three goals and registered one assist in his 13 appearances before his contract expired, leading to his release.

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Sheffield Wednesday then managed to secure his signature this summer. A permanent deal is set to be struck as the Owls add to their seven signings so far in a bid to avoid a repeat of last season’s grueling battle for Championship survival.

As for English, this is a huge challenge. On the one hand, some commentators would argue that this is a bad move for both sides as the striker is yet to prove his quality in men’s football. His consistency and power that he used to dominate defenders at youth level has been lacking so far. Additionally, the physicality seen in League One and Two has also become an issue.

On the other hand, the 20-year-old has not had a complete chance to progress in a team. With time and guidance under Owls boss Danny Rohl, McNeill could eventually develop into one of the league’s best forwards.

It’s clear that he’s talented, as evidenced by his impressive goalscoring record at youth level. The evidence to suggest this is his 24 goals scored in 21 games for Manchester United Under-18s in the 2020/21 season.

Overall, this is a hugely important season for Rohl after avoiding relegation. Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to build on last season’s momentum, so will they have the time and patience to nurture a young talent?

This is exemplified by the South Yorkshire outfit strengthening their attacking options and continuing to chase Ike Ugbo despite recently securing the services of Jamal Lowe following his release from Premier League side Bournemouth. Perhaps Wednesday will try to send McNeill on a season-long loan to a League One or League Two side to avoid his development stalling any more than it already has.

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