It is a year today since Chris Wilder returned to Sheffield United after over three years away from the club.
In his entrance interview, Wilder told club media: “Quite simply it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. Just like in 2016, when this club comes calling it is not something you pass up.”
So a year on from Chris accepting the call what has happened to the Blades?
The remainder of the Premier League Season
It’s hard to know how the last year might have been under Paul Heckingbottom. A manager who had seen great success as the Blades boss and upon his departure gained great sympathy from much of the fanbase.
Although, there was something liberating about Wilder’s arrival. The Blades had lost eleven of their opening 14 Premier League games and were four points from safety. Plus, even though, Wilder got a first win in his second game against Brentford. Relegation felt imminent and the previous plan hadn’t worked.
A pressured Heckingbottom trying to keep his job had to keep to the status quo. However, Wilder, could try what he liked. If the side went down, he’d likely keep the manager’s job. If by some miracle his tinkering worked, Chris would never have to look for another job again.
Oliver Arblaster and Andre Brooks
Arguably, Wilder’s bravest tinkering came in the form of Oliver Arblaster. On 29th December 2023, Port Vale confirmed Arblaster had been recalled from his loan by the Blades. Due to injury, his arrival in to the first team wasn’t immediate. But soon enough Wilder would put his plan into action.
Arblaster made his Premier League debut against Arsenal coming off the bench in the 64th minute as the Blades lost 6-0. If the score line and Arblaster’s introduction proved anything it was that Wilder realised the rest of the season was for preparing for the next. We would later see this payoff.
Even more daringly, Wilder further personified the Blades’ future through Arblaster by making him captain against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The simple evaluation of this was that Wilder, a boyhood Blade, wanted to have another boyhood Blade on the pitch.
While, it likely factored into his introduction, Arblaster proved to be more than just a fan on the pitch. He played with a maturity far beyond his years. In his 12 appearances, he became a shining light that made relegation feel a little less dark. His confidence on the ball is backed up by his stats 73.9% of his dribbles were completed and his pass accuracy was 81.5%.
Alongside, Arblaster, Wilder also introduced another local Blade in Andre Brooks.
Brooks played 20 times for the Blades in the Premier League and even started Wilder’s first game against Liverpool. Brooks never featured for Heckingbottom and became another example of Wilder’s willingness to bring through players who would play for the badge. As well as bed in the youth that would still be at the club, regardless of the foreboding relegation.
Summer of ’24
Once a manager of loyalty and sentimentality, Chris Wilder’s time away clearly gave him clarity on the situation at Bramall Lane.
A mass clear out saw many players who had featured for the Blades in the 23/24 season depart the club. Whilst, the likes of Osula and McBurnie may have still been wanted by Wilder, the decision was still made to let them go.
The departures weren’t all Heckingbottom’s players many were stalwarts of Wilder’s glory years. It was evidence that while he looked the same, this was a somewhat new Wilder.
The Arrivals
If Heckingbottom’s final summer transfer window was a nightmare. Wilder’s first since returning seems to have been a calculated reconstruction approached with the same delicate precision given to the recently reopened Notre Dame Cathedral.
Ever since, the departures of Dean Henderson and Enda Stevens, the club has cried out for dependable replacements. So that’s where the money went. The new Henderson, Michael Cooper, a player who with every passing minute is looking a bigger bargain. Perhaps, he is even the Championship signing of the summer.
Harrison Burrows, the new Stevens, came into the club with 12 goals and 17 assists for Peterborough United in the 23/24 League One season. Since, signing Burrows has scored 2 goals showing his attacking prowess but has also looked very comfortable defensively.
Wilder’s freebies and loans
When you think of one of Chris Wilder’s best assets as a manager it is his ability to find a free agent and get a tune out of them.
This Wilder is no different, he added useful squad players like Jamie Shackleton and Sam McCallum on frees. As well as Gus Hamer’s right-hand man, Callum O’ Hare.
His most impressive free agent in hindsight though was Tyrese Campbell. A promising striker in his early years at Stoke City. Due to injuries, Campbell had found himself released by the Potters but fortunately for him, Wilder would bring new life to his career. Following in the footsteps of McGoldrick and Clarke before him.
It is a testament to Wilder’s signings this year, that Campbell’s recent goalscoring form makes him another candidate for Championship signing of the season so far.
In terms of loans, Wilder has used the loan market similarly to before. Find the gaps in the team and not only plug them but improve them.
His first job after the departures of Egan and Basham was to find Anel a new partner at the back. Why not then bring in what an AI would make if you asked for the ideal Championship centre-back? 6 foot 7, Australian International Harry Souttar, joined the Blades on loan from Leicester City. Souttar has fit into Sheffield United perfectly and has annoyingly become a new don’t fall in love with a loan player candidate.
Other loanees include the dependable defender, Alfie Gilchrist, whose versatility to play centre-back and right-back could come in handy as the season progresses. Similarly to that of a certain Super Bash.
The addition of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has proved an essential coup allowing Wilder to play his new winger formation. It has also showcased Wilder’s pulling power as the Palace Winger was much sort after.
The Championship Season so far
Wilder’s team started the Championship season as relative unknowns. The signings were good but for the first time since 2016, it wasn’t entirely certain what English football would see if Sheffield United were on the fixture list.
The -2 points deduction the Blades started with was quickly quashed by a dominant victory over Preston North End at Deepdale. A win so good that Wilder incidentally got Heckingbottom back in a dugout. Perhaps, the two will now forever be linked.
Then came two draws with the draw to QPR at Bramall Lane showing the importance of signing Michael Cooper. The Blades have only conceded nine times in the league this season.
Since, Cooper became the Blades No.1, Bramall Lane hasn’t seen an opposition goal scored. Leading to the funny stat that Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, James Beadle has conceded more at the Lane this season.
Speaking of Beadle conceding at the Lane, the next impressive part of Wilder’s team has been the goals scored. Five goals have come from Steel City Derby winner Tyrese Campbell but the others have been shared across the pitch.
Gus Hamer and Jesurun Rak-Sayki, the default wingers have contributed four each. Whilst, Kieffer Moore, Harrison Burrows, and Oliver Arblaster have each bagged two.
With Callum O’Hare, Ryan Oné, Sam McCallum and Tom Davies adding one each to round out the goals.
Positively, it shows that the Blades have substituted the previous reliance on goals from forwards like Sharp, McGoldrick and Ndiaye. For a more sustainable team approach to getting the ball in the net.
Additionally, Oné’s goal shows Wilder’s fearless approach to letting youth cover areas that concerned some of lacking depth. Oné has been impressive in his cameo appearances notably bringing the Blades level at Ashton Gate.
Another young player who was brilliant in Bristol was Femi Seriki who has been a capable defensive full-back. But also a more attacking alternative to Alfie Gilchrist.
Furthermore, due to the unfortunate injury to Ollie Arblaster, Sydie Peck has been a brilliant addition to the Blades’ midfield options.
The one slight negative to Chris’ first full season back at the club is his fight for the badge mentality. Or at least the literal interpretation the players have taken from it. The Blades have seen 43 yellow cards so far as well as two red cards and five suspensions.
Most importantly, though the Blades currently sit top of the Championship with our new best frenemies Burnley in second. Ironically, it was the result against the Clarets that gave Wilder clearance to land back at Bramall Lane.
Takeaways
Wilder’s appointment midway through last season proved to have been the right one so far. It allowed him to prepare for the eventual rebuild that was to come this season.
Whilst, many outside of Bramall Lane had written him off after his time at Middlesbrough and Watford. He has so far proven them wrong.
If the last year has told us anything there is nothing quite like Sheffield United under Chris Wilder. Nor is there a better Chris Wilder than a Sheffield United Chris Wilder.
