The top flight are closing in on the halfway point of the Premier League season and the January transfer window. One of the teams that intrigue me most as we approach 2024 is Sheffield United. The Blades sit firmly in the relegation zone after a terrible start to the season. They're not cut adrift from safety but it's reasonable to suggest that maintaining Premier League status for more than just one season feels unlikely, despite a win yesterday.
They've already made a change in the dugout with former manager Chris Wilder returning to replace Paul Heckingbottom. But how will Wilder and Sheffield United approach the January window? Will Sheffield United throw some money at trying to stay up? Will they accept relegation and start forward planning for a return to the Championship? Will they keep funds back for the summer window? Will Wilder recruit for his trademarked 3-5-2 or will he be more formation flexible?
Lets take a look at their squad on transfermarkt. There's a clear lack of Premier League quality in some areas. Would it be harsh to also suggest that not much forward planning as gone into squad building?
Goalkeepers
Two senior Goalkeepers in Wes Foderingham and Adam Davies. Both out of contract in the summer. Youngster Jordan Amissah is also approaching the end of his deal. A focus on this area is clearly required.
Right Backs/Right wing backs
Jayden Bogle and George Baldock cover this area, both are out of contract in 2024. Femi Seriki is a highly promising player in the Under 21's and has made the first team bench in recent times. I don't think this needs to be an area of high concern in January.
Left backs/left wing backs
Luke Thomas has struggled on loan from Leicester. Yasser Larouci doesn't appear to be trusted (club has option to buy on his loan). Max Lowe and Rhys Norrington-Davies have both have injury ravaged seasons and are out of contract at the end of the season. Youngster Jili Buyabu (not pictured) has got onto the first team bench recently. My opinion is that despite Norrington-Davies returning from injury soon, this is a position that needs attention.
Centerbacks
Sheffield United have been unlucky in this area. Chris Basham and John Egan have spent the season on the sidleines. Jack O'Connell had to retire due to injury. The other three, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jack Robinson and Auston Trusty all remain under contract into next season and are proven good Championship level defenders. Not an area that needs drastic January action, in my opinion.
Midfielders
Sheffield United addressed their midfield options quite considerably before the start of the season with Gus Hamer, Vini Souza, James McAtee, Tom Davies and Anis Slimane all arriving at Bramall Lane in a mix of permament and loan moves. Some have been more succesful than others. Oliver Norwood, John Fleck, Ben Osborn and Ismaila Coulibaly are still at the club, all are out of contract at the end of the season. Promising youngster Andre Brooks has recently made his first team debut and should be expected to become a part of the squad in the second half of the season. I'm of the opinion that other positions are of a higher priority to be looked at ahead of midfield.
Forwards
Summer marquee signing Cameron Archer is on a long term deal, as are youngsters Benie Traore and William Osula but reports at the time of the Archer signing read that Aston Villa have a mandatory buy back clause should Sheffield United get relegated. Much malinged Rhian Brewster still has another season. Oli McBurnie and Daniel Jebbison are out of contract at the end of the season. McBurnie's season has been spotlighted for a couple of red cards. One possibly harsh, the other certainly not. A McBurnie type replacement would be high on my hypothetical wishlist.
I spoke to well informed Blades fan, co-host of @SheffUnitedWay and #EFLDebate, Oli Mann (@BeastlyOli on X) for his opinion on where he thinks Blades should focus any January funds and what kind transfer activity he forsees.
Here's what he had to say...
'Despite fairly well documented attempts by the owner to sell the club, and financial difficulties leading to the sale of key players in the summer transfer window, Sheffield United will likely move to give new manager Chris Wilder some room to bring in his own players in January. The squad was full after the summer but i expect the injuries will see Basham & Egan likely not being re-registered and I expect the loan deal for Luke Thomas to be brought to an early end. Any offers will also be listened to for the numerous players out of contract in the summer - the most notable being a rumoured move from Rangers for striker Oli McBurnie.
So with a limited budget but some room for additions what will united prioritise?
Picking up where they left off in the summer and searching for a Target Man striker will likely be the first port of call. Keiffer Moore was chased towards the end of august and a return move for the Welshman would be a sensible move. Wes Foderingham has made the most saves in the league so far but after a couple of high profile errors and with his contract coming to an end most Blades would like to see a long term number one brought to the club.
Given the injuries at centre back we could be in the market for a loan move to the end of the season when John Egan returns.
Buying low from european markets was the plan in the summer but with Wilder back in charge I expect to see that curbed slightly with the board tempered by Wilders preference experienced EFL players'.
Personally, I think it would be short sighted of Sheffield United to not at least try and use their current Premier League status to sign some to address my percieved areas of concern. I think three January signings seems reasonable and I suggest Goalkeeper, Left Back/Left wing back and a Target man type forward as the three roles to prioritise.
Here's two players in each of these roles that I think The Blades should target with two reasons in mind. Firstly, a faint hope at Premier League survival. And secondly, upgrading in the positions named to put the squad in a better place ahead of trying to bounce straight back up next season.
Goalkeepers
Michael Cooper, 24 (Plymouth Argyle)
Viktor Johansson, 25 (Rotherham)
Michael Cooper and Viktor Johansson have similar profiles. Both are excelling at their current clubs and have been high performers for a number of seasons. Without wanting to disrespect Plymouth and Rotherham, I think both players are in a position where a move up the chain is in their best interest should they want to reach their maximum potential. But what is the market for Goalkeepers untested above the Championship? I don't see a huge array of Premier League goalkeeper vacancies for the pair. They'd both command a substantial fee but shouldn't be out of Blades' price range if they have serious thoughts about staying up/bouncing back.
Left Backs/Left wing backs
Cameron Pring, 25 (Bristol City)
Harrison Burrows, 21 (Peterborough)
Cameron Pring has served Bristol City for a while now. Early loans at Newport, Aldershot, Cheltenham, Walsall and Portsmouth never suggested Premier League potential but he has since established as a consistent Championship performer. Vague summer rumours of a move to West Ham never materialised but Pring's data this season reads well and he shouldn't be ruled out of making a top flight leap.
Similary, Burrows' data in League One stands out. A two division hike is never easy and Burrows would fit the looking ahead to next season approach.
Target man
Tobias Lauritsen, 26 (Sparta Rotterdam)
Fraser Hornby, 24 (Darmstadt)
Should a move for Kieffer Moore not come to fruition a player in the same mould worth considering is Sparta Rotterdam's, Tobias Lauritsen. The twenty-six year old is in his second season with the Eredivisie club after joining from Odd in his native Norway. The tall, target man has followed up thirteen league goals and five assists last season with three goals and four assists in fourteen matches this season.
And finally, a potential Wilder wildcard option is Scot, Fraser Hornby. He broke through Everton's youth setup before heading around Europe with KV Kortrijk (loan), Stade Reims (E2,000,000), Aberdeen (loan), KV Oostende (loan) and now current club Darmstadt who paid Reims E1,800,000 to sign the forward in the summer, a move that doesn't seem to have worked out so far. A good Scotland youth career and his goal return at Oostende makes Hornby interesting.
I hope you found value in this blog. As always, any engagement is encouraged. I'm @Brad8926 on X and my linkedin page can be found here www.linkedin.com/in/craig-bradley-014957290