This summer will be one of the most crucial transfer window’s in recent years for Sheffield United. We hear that every season, but given the predicament the club is in, it’s the truth.
Obviously the summer window is the one that makes or breaks a campaign before it has even begun. This one is a lot more than that. If the Blades get it wrong it could undo all of the hard work and things the team have achieved since Chris Wilder walked through the door in 2016.
If you remember correctly, the first job Wilder and his staff had to in his first tenure was pretty much a complete rebuild in League One. Now they’ll have to do it all again in his second spell at his beloved Blades.
Sheffield United taking the necessary steps
A key person at the heart of that 2016 summer rebuild was head of recruitment Paul Mitchell, who Wilder hired upon taking the job. However, heading into this summer’s transfer window Mitchell and Sheffield United have parted ways; meaning the club could now take a completely different approach than the one which was previously in place.
That could mean a more intense focus into some of the European leagues which are stacked with cheap hidden gems; such as the Belgian or German leagues, for example. Or perhaps United could look into an entirely different market like the Australian league, as an example, where seemingly more talent is coming through. I personally can’t wait to see the direction we go in.
The Blades are doing everything in their power to become more of an attractive proposition as they recently announced some groundbreaking news:
Sheffield United Football Club have confirmed an agreement to acquire the HSBC Sport & Social club site in Dore. The primary objective is to relocate the first-team to this new location, while retaining the renowned Blades academy at Shirecliffe.
The forthcoming cutting-edge training facility will include two full-sized Desso pitches, supplemented by grass and all-weather pitches. Furthermore, it will accommodate first-team offices, a gymnasium, and potentially residential quarters for players.
An eye on the summer rebuild
As mentioned earlier, this is one of the most crucial summer window’s in years; getting it wrong could potentially undo years of hard work and success since 2016.
Let’s take a look at the current contract state of play for the Sheffield United players.
For context, I have not included any of the loan players, or the players loaned out (except for the youngsters).
As you can see, Sheffield United have as many as 13 players with expiring contracts in the summer, with the majority of them being in defence. This is per information from Transfermarkt.
My prediction on who goes or stays
Jayden Bogle has an option to extend, as does Ben Osborn. I’d imagine both players will have their options triggered. Bogle is comfortably a good Championship player, likewise is Osborn, who also acts as a utility player.
Wes Foderingham and Adam Davies will leave. And I think Jordan Amissah will be extended as a cheap third choice option. A new back-up comes in.
The defence for me is where it gets really tricky. For the right price, I would extend George Baldock and John Egan on one-year deals. The pair have seen it all and done it all at Championship level: two good pieces to keep in the defence.
I think we will be saying goodbye to Max Lowe, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Chris Basham in the summer.
Norwood is another one I think the club will finally say farewell to.
In attack, Wilder has revealed Daniel Jebbison wants to sign a new deal. But it does appear as though the club are preparing for Oli McBurnie’s exit.
When are united hopping to get their new training ground ready for use