After a dreadful start to the season, it’s something of a miracle that Sheffield United were able to regroup under Paul Heckingbottom and surge their way to a play-off place in the Championship standings.
Despite losing in dramatic circumstances to Nottingham Forest on penalties, the Blades should hold their heads up high and look forward to next season, and this summer is shaping up to be a massive one for the Steel City giants.
Heckingbottom has stated his intention of signing at least six new players across multiple areas of the pitch, though with no stand-out targets identified just yet, which former Blades could Sheffield United approach this summer to improve their squad for next season?
Robin Olsen
The goalkeeping position has been something of a mess this season for Sheffield United, with four players starting between the sticks at some point during the campaign for the Championship side, and this summer, a clear no. 1 has to be identified.
And Robin Olsen, who spent half a season on loan with the Blades, could be perfect for the job. The keeper, currently with Aston Villa on loan, showed signs of promise with Sheffield United before picking up an injury with Sweden, and the 32-year-old could be open to having a second crack at playing at Bramall Lane under Heckingbottom.
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Another former loan star who could be perfect for Sheffield United this season is Cameron Carter-Vickers, who this year with Celtic has arguably been one of the Hoops’ best players as the Glasgow giants reclaimed the Scottish Premiership title.
Set for a permanent move away from Tottenham this summer, Sheffield United could swoop in for Carter-Vickers with Celtic reportedly fumbling over the transfer fee for the American international, with the defender a player who can bring depth and quality to the centre-back position.
Ben Whiteman
Ben Whiteman came through the Sheffield United academy and went on to make numerous appearances for the Blades before leaving for Doncaster Rovers in 2018, and since then, the midfielder has flourished into a top Championship-level player.
A regular for Preston North End, the 25-year-old can play multiple roles in the midfield as well as provide goals and assists, and for Heckingbottom, re-signing for the former Sheffield United academy talent could be a smart move to bolster the centre of the park and to add some attacking quality from deep.
Kieran Dowell
Kieran Dowell was once viewed by many as one of English football’s most exciting talents, yet like most promising players, a Premier League spell with Norwich City has dwindled expectations that the attacking midfielder will ever reach his true potential.
The 24-year-old spent half a season on loan with Sheffield United back in 2019, and three years later, Dowell could be a smart signing for the Blades given his ability to link the midfield with the attack and his quality on set-pieces, something that made the youngster a threat in the Championship with Norwich last year.
Callum Robinson
When 36-year-old Billy Sharp is your top goalscorer this season, you know you need to find a younger alternative to share the load ahead of the new campaign, and for Sheffield United, Callum Robinson could be that guy.
Whilst the Republic of Ireland international was poor in the striker’s six-month Premier League spell with the Blades, the West Brom attacker has proven to be a reliable provider of goals in the Championship, and for Sheffield United, Robinson could be an ideal forward for Heckingbottom this summer.
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