Blackman left Sheffield United for Reading four and a half years ago and is now on the books of Derby County.
Sheffield United’s impressive recruitment drive continued with the capture of Fulham centre-back Richard Stearman on Thursday.
After bringing in four promising yet largely unpredictable recruits from the lower leagues, Stearman was the injection of proven Championship quality that many Blades fans were craving.
But with several positions left to fill, could another experienced second tier campaigner, such as former Bramall Lane star Nick Blackman, also come into Chris Wilder’s thinking?
Derby’s Nick Blackman
What’s his situation?
It’s difficult to say, with the Derby County man having been unavailable for all but one of Gary Rowett’s matches in charge of the Rams. Nevertheless, Blackman has scored once in 30 games for his current employers and, with striker Chris Martin back at Pride Park and winger Tom Ince likely to be replaced, 27-year-old’s chances of featuring regularly in either position this coming campaign aren’t looking great. He still has two years left on his Derby contract, however.
Where would he fit in at United?
Blackman was deployed mostly as a striker in his six months at Bramall Lane – a spell which yielded 14 goals – and his pace could certainly come in handy alongside Billy Sharp. However, with United’s pursuit of Ricky Holmes still failing to bear fruit, it’s possible he could be seen as an alternative to the Charlton winger instead. Either way, his game time would surely increase back in Sheffield 2.
Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane ground
What difficulties could the Blades face?
Wilder is keen to maintain a balanced wage structure, which with Blackman’s current salary may not align. Derby fought off big spending Sheffield Wednesday to sign him from Reading 18 months ago, for a ‘knock-down’ £2.9 million fee [Transfermarkt], on account of his contract running down. Nevertheless, a Blades return would have obvious sentimental appeal to the player, who wouldn’t have to move too far from Derby, if at all.
Would you take Derby’s Blackman back at Sheffield United?
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