RHIAN BREWSTER was destined for Premier League superstardom just TEN SECONDS after being spotted by scouts — aged seven.
The Sheffield United new-boy faces former club Liverpool, 13 years on from that life-changing day in East London.
Rhian Brewster, 20, has joined Sheffield United after leaving Liverpool to get more first-team footballCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Brewster pictured with Steven Gerrard as a youth – he joined Liverpool later, aged 14Credit: Twitter @rhianbrewster9
The striker was playing for Shield Academy in Barkingside when he beat the entire rival team to score, ran back with the ball under his arm and put it on the centre circle.
Chelsea scout Martin Taylor was so impressed, he went straight over to Brewster’s dad Ian and signed him on the spot.
His coach Daniel Seymour remembers that day fondly and how the England Under-17 World Cup winner’s impressive attitude helped him become a star.
He said: “I remember Rhian’s first match, I asked him to stand in right midfield. He was clueless and had no idea what I was asking.
“He stood on the edge of the area in this seven-a-side game, looking like he didn’t know what was going on.
“All of a sudden, the kick-off happened and the ball went to him and I thought, ‘What’s he going to do?’
“And the first thing Rhian did in the first ten seconds was take the ball past every single player, walk it in, pick the ball up and put it on the spot again.
“Martin came over and stood next to me and asked where he was from. It was at that exact moment, he decided Rhian had to be a Chelsea player.”
How Liverpool have fared with and without Van Dijk since his debut in 2018 up to his injury against Everton
Brewster, now 20, went on to play in the Blues’ academy with Reece James, Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi for seven years.
But he took the brave decision, aged 14, to quit Stamford Bridge after falling out of love with football amid fears over a lack of first-team opportunities.
It was his call to move away to Liverpool from London, where he had lived all his life.
His dad and mum Hulya moved up North, too, but it was ultimately their son’s choice.
Seymour said: “Rhian’s so grounded — that’s come from his parents.
“One thing that struck me was when he joined Chelsea, one of the first things his dad said was, ‘If he doesn’t do his homework, he’s not training’.
“It wasn’t about the homework — it was about the message Rhian was going to get, the ethos and values.
“One of the things I loved about his development was his dad would always say, ‘Did you enjoy yourself?’ His dad would say, ‘You’ll tell daddy the day you don’t enjoy it any more’.
Brewster impressed on loan at Swansea last season, scoring ten goals in the Championship after moving in JanuaryCredit: Alamy Live News
“What happened with Chelsea was Rhian got more frustrated around the developmental chances. He felt like, ‘Is there going to be a pathway for me at Chelsea?’ He felt that wasn’t the case.
“His mum and dad explained the impact of moving and the massive changes.
“When Liverpool came in, I think there were loads of reasons he wanted to join.
“Not just around the club, the history, but his dad’s a lifelong fan.”
Brewster made another brave call at the start of this month by leaving Anfield to join the Blades for a club-record £23.5million.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp spoke of his admiration for a player he has a buy-back option on for the next three years.
He said: “Rhian used to be our boy but we still feel he is.
“I wish him a near-perfect Premier League season — all world class games but that he takes the other two off!”
After talks with Blades chief Chris Wilder, the lure of South Yorkshire was too big for Brewster.
Brewster celebrates with the Champions League in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Seymour added: “He enjoyed his time at Liverpool but just wanted regular first-team football.”
And Brewster’s old mentor will sit down in front of the TV tonight and watch his former academy prospect.
He added: “I will be so proud watching him.
“I’ve got a two-year-old boy and how great will it be if one day he wants to get Brewster on the back of his England shirt.”
Jurgen Klopp reveals winger Sadio Mane has dead leg after Ajax win
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
