Sheffield United could be set for a busy winter window.
2019 may be just a few hours old, but Sheffield United’s January business has already begun with the signing of Kieran Dowell from Everton and departure of Tyler Smith to Doncaster Rovers (both on loan).
But which players could follow the latter out of Bramall Lane before this month’s transfer deadline?
We spoke to three Blades fans to find out…
Will United need to sell to raise funds?
Jack Bingham (@jbingham90): As mentioned (in the previous article), our joint-owners are locked in a court battle so there’d be a chance that any funds raised from sold players may not be reinvested. That said, the (David) Brooks money is supposedly available for spending so hopefully no players will be sold!
Jonathan Bradley (@curlywisejon): Possibly – but if we do it’ll be out of practicality rather than necessity.
Tom Seymour (@tomseyms): They won’t, but as I say finances are limited. The ongoing feud between co-owners Kevin McCabe and Prince Abdullah is not helping matters in that department and that won’t be sorted until their High Court hearing in May. Until then, neither will want to invest heavily because they face the prospect of losing control.
Are there any positions that are over-stocked?
JaB: We seem to have a fairly well balanced squad; if anything, I’d say we’re actually a little thin on the ground in attacking areas so expect to see a couple of players moving on from there.
JoB: We could probably afford could lose anyone from the bigger squad.
TS: United could probably do with freshening up their back-up options at centre back. (Martin) Cranie might well go and (Jake) Wright has perhaps had his time at the club. With (Marvin) Johnson as backup to Enda Stevens, Danny Lafferty – who is out of contract in the summer anyway – is also probably surplus to requirements.
Which players do you fear losing in January and which would you like to see the back of?
JaB: If (Mark) Duffy or (John) Fleck were to leave we’d be very thin on the ground, but I expect especially in the Fleck scenario it’d take a large bid. Jack O’Connell is another I’d be very disappointed to lose, he’s integral to the unconventional system, which incorporates overlapping centre-backs, that Chris Wilder and Alan Knill have introduced. I don’t think Marvin Johnson has had a great impact on loan from Middlesbrough, nor (surprisingly) Ben Woodburn from Liverpool.
JoB: I always worry we will lose John Fleck and Jack O’Connell but I think we will be fine. I wouldn’t what Dean Henderson to go back to Manchester United but I think (David) De Gea is in front of him… for now! No players necessarily need to leave though we need more bodies.
TS: In truth there aren’t any players at the club which I would like to see the back of, but things could be freshened up – especially if United are serious about playing in the Premier League. Throughout their squad are solid Championship players but they would need more than that. With the (Oliver) Norwood deal tied up and Wilder saying there is no chance of that being scuppered, the only slight concern might be Dean Henderson being recalled by Manchester United. He wants regular game time, though, and that is unlikely to come at Old Trafford any time soon.
Any players (including loanees) you suspect could leave?
JaB: Pretty sure Woodburn will return to Liverpool given his lack of impact in supposedly being the replacement for Brooks. As mentioned, Marvin Johnson’s lack of involvement may also see him go back to ‘Boro.
JoB: Daniel Lafferty and Leon Clarke (he’s been here longer than any other club)! The whole situation around Ben Woodburn is also strange but we will see.
TS: I would be surprised if Cranie got a new deal, although if Wilder can’t bring in a replacement that is still a possibility (edit – Cranie has since signed up until June). Woodburn will almost certainly return to Liverpool as well. Other than that the squad is quite trim and there are no more obvious departures.
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