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Sheffield United’s vice-captain, John Egan, proved that a natural leader is needed in the back-line in order to lead the team forward.
The Blades were able to get a vital 1-0 win against Bristol City in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup last night. Even though it was Billy Sharp that scored the penalty with the Sheffield-born captain taking all the plaudits again, Egan made sure nothing was getting through at the back as the defence were able to hold onto a vital clean sheet.
Greenwood FC is where the centre-back started his young career in which he spent nine years developing at the Irish club before making the switch to England with Sunderland’s Academy.
He signed his first professional contract for the Black Cats at the age of 19 in July 2011 as the Cork-born defender looked to progress his career forward.
14 appearances in the Reserve League and numerous loan spells later, Egan decided to move away from the Tyne and Wear club in search of regular first-team football.
In July 2014, he made the switch to League One side Gillingham as the centre-back slotted right into the side and looked to prove himself as a capable defender.
His first season at his new club was a successful one. Playing 45 games in the whole Championship season was what he needed to ensure that his development stayed on the right track.
Adding onto that, he scored four goals for the Gills in the League One campaign, which was more goals than he had scored in his professional career up to that point (3).
Then Gillingham manager, Justin Edinburgh, handed the captain’s armband to the defender as he impressed the new manager and was given the responsibility of leading the Gills into battle.
Egan featured 36 times this season, but managed to score more and assist with the defender getting six goals and three assists in a season where Gillingham finished ninth in the league, five points away from the Play-Offs.
After a two-year spell at the Priestfield Stadium, the defender moved on from the club in search of a new challenge. That challenge came in London with Brentford signing the Irishman on a free transfer.
Dean Smith signed the 6ft 1 defender in his first summer transfer window at the club as he looked to prepare his side for the upcoming Championship season.
The Irish defender played 34 times in the second-tier that season as he looked to adapt to life in the Championship after his move from League One.
The Bees finished in the top half of the table in tenth as Egan got over 3,000 minutes under his belt alongside scoring four goals and getting one assist.
Brentford finished a place higher during 2017/18 as they ended ninth with the defender featuring in 33 matches for the London side playing a total of 2,850 minutes.
That was his last season at Griffin Park as he moved to Yorkshire with Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United signing him for £4 million.
What a season it was for Egan and the Blades. Featuring in all but two games in the Championship season, getting an average 1.89 points per game with the defender in the matchday squad.
Sheffield United were promoted as Runners-Up from the Championship as they embarked on their return to the top-flight for the first time since 2006/07.
The defender played a vital part as the Blades battled for the European places but fell short as the Coronavirus pandemic played its toll on the squad.
A ninth-place finish on your first season back in the top-flight isn’t bad at all as the Blades missed out on the Europa League by only five points.
Second season syndrome has kicked in and the Blades find themselves at the bottom of the Premier League but it goes without saying that Egan carries on to play a main role in the line-up as he has stepped-up as captain whenever Billy Sharp is not playing.
The defender has only achieved one Premier League clean sheet this season compared to the 13 he achieved last season, but the FA Cup looks to be a chance for the Blades to enjoy their football and really reach the latter stages of the competitions.
Egan has been seen to lead the ball from the back which has been a new interesting tactic that Wilder has adopted. Essentially, Aaron Ramsdale goes short to the Irish defender who then, in turn, uses his dribbling combined with an element of speed to drive his side forward.
In the match against Bristol City, Egan won the most aerial chances (6), made the most interceptions (4) and made five recoveries in a match where the defence needed to be sharp and ready for the match ahead.
The Blades have a pivotal few months left in their footballing calendar as they look to stay in the Premier League for another season and they continue their fight in the FA Cup.
Keeping vice-captain Egan fit will be a priority for Wilder as he has proved he can trust the 28-year-old defender and that he is one of the best players he has in his arsenal.
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