George Hirst will want to live up to his father David – a bonafide Sheffield Wednesday legend. But with Everton interested, who knows what the future holds.
As if Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal needed a reminder of George Hirst’s precocious talents, the 18-year-old striker added another two goals to his burgeoning collection for The Owls Under-23s on Monday.
He’s now hit 34 goals in a remarkable season at academy level, his first-half double against Millwall helping Wednesday on their way to the final of the Development League Two play-offs.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that Wednesday want to tie Hirst, son of club legend and England striker David, down to a long-term deal, as reported by the Sheffield Star.
It’s also no surprise that Hirst has turned Premier League heads. The Liverpool Echo report that Everton were eyeing up the 6ft 3ins, natural-born goalscorer as director of football Steve Walsh continues his search for the nation’s most exciting young talents.
The newspaper add that Hirst would play for David Unsworth’s title-winning Under-23 team (below) before potentially following in the footsteps of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies and co and making waves in the first team.
Like father, like son
Therefore, while a move to Everton’s prosperous youth system would surely appeal, Sheffield Wednesday must act fast to ensure Hirst’s immediate future remains at Hillsborough.
Carvalhal faces a challenge fitting Hirst into his squad at present, the January additions of proven Championship goalscorers in Sam Winnall and Jordan Rhodes adding to Steven Fletcher, Gary Hooper and Lucas Joao.
Consequently, Hirst only played 13 minutes of Championship football all season long. However, his prolific scoring record in the U23s means that Wednesday should do everything in their power to ensure the Hirst legacy lives on in Yorkshire.
David Hirst
And if that means Carvalhal sacrifices one of his experienced frontmen for this precocious youngster, so be it.
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