Sheff United Way
·5. Januar 2025
Sheff United Way
·5. Januar 2025
Sheffield United are exploring several centre-backs this month after Harry Souttar’s loan sadly ended due to a season-ending Achilles injury on Boxing Day.
Since losing the towering defender the Blades have conceded in three straight Championship games, this is the first time such a run has occurred in this campaign.
United’s depth at the back is far from strong. They have had to survive the busy festive period with Alfie Gilchrist as their only right-back option, whilst Rhys Norrington-Davies, naturally a left-back, has been their only backup choice for central defence.
The Blades are wanting to add a natural central defender to the squad this month, and they have turned their attention to a transfer target from the past. According to The Sun, Sheffield United and Leeds United are both interested in signing Andrew Omobamidele.
The 22-year-old Ireland international, currently out of favour at Nottingham Forest, is available and the deal will initially be a loan move. Meanwhile, Leeds are thought to be willing to agree to a loan-to-buy deal whereas the Blades are only keen on a temporary move for the tall defender.
In Omobamidele, United have clearly identified somebody with a similar playing style to Souttar. While not as tall as Souttar, the 22-year-old has the same type of aggressive style where he seeks the first contact on every ball that comes his way. Omobamidele isn’t the quickest either, so like Souttar, he relies on his reading of the game and anticipation.
Another player the Blades have been linked with strongly is former captain Oli McBurnie. Chris Wilder is thought to be eager to bring the striker back to the club via a short-term loan deal, however, Las Palmas have blocked any offers for the Scottish forward, as per The Sun.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Chris Wilder (r) head coach of Sheffield United with his staff on the bench during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland AFC and Sheffield United FC at Stadium of Light on January 01, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Lastly, Alan Nixon has claimed Sheffield United are on the verge of signing Ben Brereton-Diaz on loan from Southampton in the coming days.
Brereton-Diaz gave the Blades a huge lift last January, when he was signed on loan from Villarreal, scoring six goals and providing an assist in 14 Premier League games. But, it’s his underlying performance metrics that are even more intriguing.
Even though he played for the worst team in the league last term, Brereton-Diaz had a non-penalty xG of 0.43 per 90, which put him in the 70th percentile compared to other Premier League forwards. Additionally, he was a huge outlet in terms of progressing and creating, ranking in the 83rd percentile for progressive passes, 87th percentile for crosses into the box, 74th percentile for passes into the box, and 81st percentile for carries into the penalty area. If he can do that in the worst team in the Premier League, he could be borderline unstoppable in a very good Championship team.
Signing somebody like Brereton-Diaz will give the Blades a more natural inverted left-winger compared to Gustavo Hamer. As a result, this will also give United a chance to play Hamer in a more central position.