Sheffield United star Enda Stevens’ Portsmouth ‘gamble’ - and how Fratton Park reignited his career

Now the left-back is an established Republic of Ireland international and regular Premier League performer.

Upon his Aston Villa release in the summer of 2015, the Irishman was persuaded to drop into League Two with Pompey.

At that point he was a habitual loanee, sent away on four temporary spells in his final two Villa Park seasons.

Foster, who was a member of Paul Cook’s managerial team, regarded Stevens’ signing as a huge coup for the Blues at the time.

And it was a move which benefited tremendously both club and player.

Foster told The News: ‘Having managed in Ireland, I had seen a lot of Enda and was aware of his talents, but there was always a question mark.

‘He’d had his move to Aston Villa on the back of a really good European journey with Shamrock Rovers, but for one reason or another it didn’t quite work out for him.

‘He was another player who took a real chance coming to League Two – he could have played in League One.

‘Enda bought into the whole Pompey idea that the club could take off and was outstanding for us.

‘A smashing footballer, wonderful person, who trained particularly well and looked after himself. Credit to him, he’s now a regular in the Premier League and for his country as well.

‘He’s an example to those players going into the peak years as footballers that you can take that gamble.

‘You need to find a level to play consistently to showcase your talents to get where you want – and Enda is a shining example of that.

‘It was an opportunity to play every week. If you played well you stayed in the team, so he had the backing of the manager, which is important.

‘The shape and philosophy of the Pompey team helped because he does his best when further up the pitch.

‘He plays as a wing-back now for Sheffield United, so starts that little bit higher. The way Pompey played in possession – with a box in the centre of the pitch containing the centre-halves and two holding midfield players – gave the security for the full-backs to go forward.

‘He wasn’t only able to showcase his talents defensively, but offensively as well. The amount of overlapping runs he made, the delivery on his crosses, and he had a wonderful connection with Kyle Bennett.

‘Kyle was really intelligent, knew when to take it wide, when to come into the pocket inside the pitch. They just connected really, really well.’

Stevens scored once in 99 appearances for Pompey, while was also crowned The News/Sports Mail’s Player of the Season for 2016-17.

However, within weeks of the Blues’ League Two title triumph, it was announced the left-back had joined Sheffield United – a side newly promoted to the Championship.

He has now reached 151 appearances and seven goals for the Blades – including 17 Premier League starts this term.

Foster added: ‘I always thought Enda would get the opportunity to play in the Championship – then you just hope that those players can then get into the Premier League with that Championship club.

‘I didn’t think he would go straight from League Two/League One into the Premier League. It’s almost unheard of.

‘Sheffield United were perfect for Enda Stevens, and Enda Stevens was perfect for Sheffield United.

‘What Chris has done is remarkable and he’s given an opportunity to those players that took him to the promised land.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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