Football
Exclusive: Chris Wilder’s Transfer Plan is Falling into Place for Sheffield United
Chris Wilder's transfer plan is taking shape for Sheffield United, following an in-depth review of their relegation. Focusing on athleticism and consistency, Wilder aims to build a squad capable of an immediate return to the Premier League.
Image Credits: Rich Linley - CameraSport via Getty Images
Chris Wilder has revealed how a deep inquest into Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League has led to a focused path towards promotion a quest for immediate top-flight return.
A Perfect Start to Promotion
The Blades, who began the new Championship campaign with an impressive away victory over Preston North End, surrendered their place in England’s elite division after losing 28 of their 38 matches.
Wilder inherited a team already marooned in the drop zone when he began his second spell in charge at Bramall Lane in December.
The 56-year-old twice led United to promotion during his previous spell at the helm before turning them into unlikely European contenders. Shedding light on the review he commissioned into the reasons behind The Blades’ failure to establish themselves at the highest level, Wilder admitted it unearthed a shortage of one key ingredient in their squad.
We’ve been very position specific, trying to bring in people who are athletic, mobile and can get about the pitch.
Chris Wilder
“Obviously the lads have got to be able to play but they’ve also got to be able to run about and cover lots of ground because that’s the way the game is going.”
“That’s the trend if you look at it right the way through.”
“Last season, we were poor athletically,” Wilder continued. “Especially towards the end of games.”
Image Credits: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Squad Overhaul with Purpose
“We’ve still got work to do with everyone. But we’ve also got young boys like (Oliver) Arblaster and Brooksy (Andre Brooks) who can get about the pitch.”
Arblaster scored the first of The Blades’ two goals at Deepdale, with Brooks also starting the fixture alongside new signings Kieffer Moore, Callum O’Hare, Alfie Gilchrist and Harrison Burrows.
Harry Souttar, Jamie Shackleton and Sam McCallum and Tyrese Campbell complete United’s transfer business so far.
Wilder, who has also managed the likes of Oxford United, Northampton Town, Middlesbrough and Watford, believes the influx of fresh faces helped his squad recover quickly from what could have been a lingering Premier League hangover.
Youth and Fresh Faces Lead the Charge
Every single one of The Blades’ new additions were also required to pass a stringent character test before being offered a move to South Yorkshire.
“We looked at a reset and lads who have to know what they are coming into,” Wilder said.
Some games take care of themselves. Others - and I’m not being disrespectful when I say this - don’t but they are the ones which ultimately get you success.
Chris Wilder
Wilder’s Vision for Consistency
“We have to have a consistent attitude on a Friday, a Saturday and a Tuesday all the way through. I want our attitude to be spot on.”
“I want people who are proud of that shirt and who represent this football club,” Wilder, a lifelong United supporter, added.
“I want that attitude back we had here the first time around, which meant we always knew what we were getting.”
“People knew, no matter who they were, what they were going to be coming up against whenever they faced us.”
“Sometimes we won. Other times we lost. But we all knew what we were going to deliver performance wise and attitude wise.”
“The shirt looks light at the moment, which is good.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.