Sheffield United narrowly missed out on promotion from the Championship this season, losing the playoff semi-final to Nottingham Forest on penalties.
The Blades are still reeling from that defeat, but there is reason to be optimistic in the Steel City at the moment.
Indeed, while playoff heartbreak hurts, United will head into next season as one of the Championship’s strongest sides once again, and with Paul Heckingbottom seemingly able to get the best out of this group of players, they should be promotion contenders once again.
With that in mind, we’ve had a go at predicting United’s starting XI for next season.
GK: Wes Foderingham
A surprise star of this season. Wes Foderingham has been imperious between the sticks for the Blades.
The goalkeeper wasn’t able to make himself the hero against Nottingham Forest, but his performances in 2022 have surely earned him the right to be the Steel City outfit’s first-choice next season.
RWB – Jayden Bogle
Jayden Bogle was brilliant for Sheffield United this season before an injury cut his campaign short.
George Baldock may be a bit aggrieved, but we fully expect Bogle to reclaim his spot in the starting XI at the beginning of next season once his fitness issues have subsided.
CB – Chris Basham
A stalwart in the Sheffield United backline, Chris Basham will once again be a key player for the Blades heading into next season.
The English defender has proven his quality at Bramall Lane over a number of years, and we’re not expecting him to be displaced anytime soon.
CB – John Egan
The Irishman is bound to receive interest from Premier League clubs this summer, but with two years left on his deal and coming so close to promotion this season, we don’t expect United to be in any hurry to let Egan leave the club.
CB – Ben Davies
Ben Davies impressed during his time on loan at Sheffield United this season, and while Jack Robinson ousted him in the starting XI towards the end of the campaign, it wouldn’t surprise us at all to see the Welshman return to South Yorkshire next year.
Davies has reportedly held a meeting with Paul Heckingbottom about his future at the club, and it’s rare that a manager will have that chat with a loanee if you’re not planning on keeping them around.
LWB – Josh Doig
According to Edinburgh News, Sheffield United are interested in signing Josh Doig from Hibs.
The Scottish full-back has recently been linked to Arsenal, so this could be something of a coup for the Blades.
Enda Stevens hasn’t been at his best this season, and while Rhys Norrington-Davies is an option, we’d expect Doig to slot in here as a new addition.
CM – Joe Rothwell
Joe Rothwell is available on a free transfer after leaving Blackburn Rovers, and Sheffield United have been linked with the midfielder.
The Blades could certainly do with some more depth in the middle of the park, and Rothwell would be a great option to have.
CM – Oliver Norwood
Rejuvenated under Heckingbottom, we think that Oliver Norwood will edge out John Fleck for a starting spot in the midfield, but the pair are likely to rotate alongside Rothwell if he arrives.
The Northern Irishman has been fantastic in recent months, and he’ll be looking for his fourth promotion from the Championship in 2022/23.
AM – Sander Berge
Another player who is sure to receive interest from the Premier League, we’re actually tipping Berge to stay with the Blades this summer.
The Bramall Lane faithful have taken to Berge ever since his arrival, and with contract discussions with the club ongoing, we think the big Norwegian may give the Championship one more crack.
ST – Billy Sharp
Captain fantastic, Billy Sharp could well be Sheffield United’s starting number nine from now until the end of time.
If you’ll pardon the pun, the striker looked as sharp as ever last season, and he’ll be desperate to get his boyhood club back to the Premier League one more time before his career is over.
ST – Rhian Brewster
Brewster has been underwhelming since joining Sheffield United, but he seemed to be finding his feet under Heckingbottom before injury struck.
The striker should be back for the new season, and if he can pick up where he left off, he might just establish himself as a key player in this side.
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