Sunday’s crushing loss at home against Brighton and Hove Albion marked Sheffield United’s third consecutive home match conceding five goals, underlining their woeful defensive performance.
This dismal display solidifies their place among the poorest defensive teams in the elite top-flight European football divisions.
Their vulnerability at home was glaringly evident earlier in the season when they conceded eight goals to Newcastle United. This recurring pattern of leaking goals has severely hindered their attempts to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Currently, with Sunday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers looming, Chris Wilder’s team finds themselves seven points adrift from safety. They are now confronted with a significant challenge to prolong their tenure in the top flight beyond a mere solitary season.
Where does Sheffield United’s defensive record rank?
As a matter of fact, the Blades are the worst defensive team in Europe’s elite leagues, conceding 65 goals in 25 league matches. This works out at almost three goals conceded per game.
The next worst is Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, who the Blades are currently level on points with. Burnley have conceded 55 goals in 25 league games, this works out at just over two goals conceded per game.
Heading into the Premier League season both teams would have been relying on their defences to set a sturdy foundation for them to build on, but the opposite has occurred, leaving the difficult task of surviving in the top-flight almost impossible with such shocking defensive records.