The Players Sheffield United Should Look to Sell This Summer

26 August 2020 07:00

Sheffield United finished in ninth position in their first season back in the Premier League, much to the disbelief of almost every fan in the country.

After an incredible season that exceeded all expectations for the Blades, the Yorkshire side have wasted no time in replacing Dean Henderson who's returned to Manchester United following his successful loan spell.

Aaron Ramsdale looks an astute purchase from relegated Bournemouth, but they may need a few more additions if they're to avoid the dreaded second season syndrome. That may mean Chris Wilder has to show a few faces the exit door this summer in order to raise sufficient funds.

Here, 90min take a look at who Wilder should be looking to offload.


1. Callum Robinson

The Republic of Ireland international only joined the Blades 12 months ago from Preston North End but Wilder quickly lost faith in his summer purchase.

After starting seven of their first eight league games, Robinson fell out of favour when Sheffield picked up impressive wins over Arsenal and Burnley while he remained on the bench.

The forward only scored one goal and provided two assists in 16 top-flight appearances. It meant the end of the road for Robinson and he was shipped out to Championship front-runners West Brom in January.

He had more joy in the Midlands, helping Slaven Bilic's men to promotion but it may be too little too late for his Bramall Lane career.

Potential destinations: West Brom, Championship
Potential price: £5.5m


2. Jack Rodwell

Jack Rodwell's career has been well documented ever since his big-money move to Manchester City all those years ago. Things have not worked out the way he, or anybody else, thought they would since though as he has continuously failed to recapture his best form.

The latest chapter in the midfielder's nightmare was a shock move to Sheffield United, who snapped him up on a free after his contract ran out at Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

He recently signed a deal keeping him at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2021, but in modern football that doesn't guarantee he'll remain a Sheffield United player. After only making two appearances in all competitions throughout 2019/20 there surely can't be much of a future for Rodwell in Chris Wilder's side.

Potential destination: Championship
Potential price:
£1m


3. Simon Moore

With Dean Henderson ineligible against his parent side, Simon Moore stepped in for the two Premier League games against the Red Devils in the last campaign but was helpless as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side smashed six past him over the 180 minutes.

Moore has kept a relatively impressive 23 clean sheets in 70 games for Sheffield, but he hasn't been a regular since their League One days back in the 2016/17 season.

At 30 years old it's time for Moore to get some minutes back under his belt but with the additions of Ramsdale and Wes Foderingham that won't be happening under Wilder.

Potential destination: League One
Potential price: £200,000


4. Luke Freeman

Luke Freeman joined Sheffield United last summer following their promotion to the Premier League after a successful season with Queens Park Rangers.

The midfielder scored an impressive eight goals and provided six assists in the league for a struggling Hoops side. It was enough for Wilder to part with over £5m for the Englishman, however the signing hasn't exactly gone to plan.

Freeman started just three league matches all season and failed to record a single goal or assist in the top flight throughout 2019/20. At 28 years old and with two years left on his contract Wilder could still recoup most of the money he paid for Freeman just 12 months ago, bringing an end to a short - and not very sweet - time with the Blades.

Potential destination: Nottingham Forest
Potential price: £3.5m


5. Ben Osborn

Sheffield United may have added some quality additions to their squad following promotion such as Oli McBurnie and Sander Berge, but they also got several deals wrong. Ben Osborn's £3.5m transfer from Nottingham Forest is arguably another that can be added to the unsuccessful pile.

Like Robinson and Freeman, he was another who was snapped up by Wilder after his impressive exploits in the Championship but, just like his teammates, found the step-up too big.

He didn't start a Premier League match until July and despite keeping his place for the next five matches, registering no goals or assists for the midfielder may have been the final nail in the coffin of his short career in Yorkshire.

Potential destinations: Nottingham Forest, Championship
Potential price: £2m


Source: 90min