Dean Saunders talks Sheffield United, Derby County, Wrexham and January transfers | OneFootball

Dean Saunders has been talking exclusively to FLW

Dean Saunders has shared his thoughts on three of his former clubs - Sheffield United, Derby County, and Wrexham AFC - after their impressive starts to the new campaign.

The Welshman fired in goals for both the Blades and Derby during his days as a much-feared striker while he spent three years in the Wrexham dugout in his first job in management.

He's kept a close eye on how his prior employers have been getting on in 2024/25 and, speaking exclusively to Football League World via 888sport, has voiced his verdicts as we take a breath for the international break.

Sheffield United takeover will be a boost but big January not expected

Sheffield United moved level on points with Championship leaders Sunderland courtesy of Sunday's 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the Steel City derby.

It's been an eventful campaign already, with Chris Wilder's side battling for promotion back to the top flight despite a two-point deduction and with a £105m takeover seemingly close.

Saunders has suggested that new owners will be a boost for the Blades, who he sees as one of the sides that can sustain a top-two challenge.

He said: "This is good for the club. They are doing well this season. Defensively very sound and they have a good manager at this level who can get them promoted back to the Premier League.

“I believe the strength of the squad, the experience they have, they will be in the promotion race for sure at the end of the season.

“There are only a few teams I see staying the distance including Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland as well as Sheffield United.”

Wilder has bemoaned his lack of squad depth after plenty of player turnover in the summer but Saunders feels the Bramall Lane boss has more than enough quality available to him.

Quizzed on whether Sheffield United have the squad depth to challenge for automatic promotion, he said: “Yes, for sure.

“Experience is important as well and United have that with Wilder and some of the players have played in a promotion race before as well as in the Premier League. So they know how tough it is and what it takes to compete in this league for promotion.

“Depending on injuries and also if the takeover goes through, they may look to spend in January, but likely it won’t be big, it will be to consolidate what they have as they push for promotion.”

Among the summer recruits was Tyrese Campbell, who joined after leaving Stoke City at the end of his contract and has found his feet in recent weeks - bagging three goals in his last five games.

On Campbell, Saunders said: "If you have the passion and drive and a will to score goals, you can be successful. Campbell has shown he is willing and confidence is key as well.

“He looks hungry to play and score goals and if the supply is there, which it has been, there is no reason he can’t go and be a big player for Sheffield United this season.”

Derby County will avoid relegation from the Championship

Survival is the primary target this season for Derby and Paul Warne following the Rams' promotion back to the Championship last season.

They've made good ground in the opening months of the 2024/25 campaign - sitting 12th in the table with 19 points from 15 games - but they're still only four points above the relegation zone and have won just one of their last six games.

That form is not something that Saunders is worried about, with the Welshman backing his former side to stay up.

“Derby shouldn’t be concerned about this," he said. "They got promoted last season and the Championship is a tough league. They are doing ok.

“They need to consolidate and keep picking up points but the good thing is they are not in the relegation zone and sitting amongst a number of teams in the middle of the table.

“They are doing better than I expected at this stage, so that is credit to the players and manager. You have a few stronger teams with a bigger squad but Derby have a strong support and this can be good as well. I back them to stay up this season for sure.”

He added: “They need to learn from each game, improve and be more clinical and look to concede less. But they have a basis of a team who can improve which is the main thing. I don’t have a massive concern, I believe they are on the right track.”

Wrexham must get used to having a target on their back and can challenge without busy January

Another of Saunders' former clubs, Wrexham, are hoping to join Sheffield United and Derby in the Championship next season.

Backed by their Hollywood owners, the Red Dragons have won back-to-back promotions to rise from the National League to League One and are showing no signs of slowing down.

They're third in the table after beating Mansfield Town over the weekend but have already exited the FA Cup due to a first round defeat at the hands of Harrogate Town.

Their departure was celebrated by rival fans across the EFL, which is something that Saunders believes the club and fanbase will have to expect moving forward.

Asked whether Wrexham need to get used to having a target on their backs, he said: "Absolutely. It’s part of football.

“They have strong investors who are backing them and it’s the players who need to go out week in week out and perform and they have been doing that.

"Multiple promotions has seen the limelight focus on the team and they haven’t let anyone down. This year they are on track to push on again and this FA Cup exit isn’t the end of the world. The owners will continue to back the manager and invest in more top players to get another promotion.”

Phil Parkinson has been given plenty of money to spend on transfers during his time at the club but Saunders isn't expecting the January window to be a big one.

He said: “I expect the team to push on and cement a top six position as we head towards the end of the year. The league is competitive and they have a couple of injuries at the minute, so need to get some of the players back.”