Sheffield United striker Lys Mousset returns to the scene of one of his greatest moments with plenty to prove

The execution was perfect and placement absolutely pinpoint, leaving Roberto Jiminez with no chance whatsoever of preventing the ball from nestling in the back of West Ham’s net.
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But after providing a glimpse of his potential during their last visit to east London 16 months ago, Sheffield United are still waiting for Lys Mousset to harness the talent which should make him one of the most devastating players at Chris Wilder’s disposal ahead of tomorrow’s return to the capital.

A catalogue of debilitating injuries are, on the face of it, responsible for the Frenchman’s less than spectacular progress. But there are suspicions, fuelled by a series of well-publicised episodes in his personal life, that a lack of professionalism away from the game is the real source of Mousset’s problems.

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It was those misgivings which prompted Wilder and other high-ranking members of his coaching staff to summon the striker to a meeting last week. Mousset, now supposedly fully recovered from the second of two minor knocks he has suffered since undergoing surgery last summer, was left in no uncertain terms that his career has reached a crossroads. Not only at Bramall Lane but also beyond, should United try and recoup some of the £10m they paid to acquire Mousset following a season which, barring a dramatic sequence of results at the bottom of the Premier League table, seems destined to end in relegation.

“He’s got to get the balance right,” Wilder told The Star, relaying some of the details of their conversation during the recent summit. “He has to make the right choices, it can’t all be one way with us trying to get to the bottom of things to do with his fitness and such like. It has to come from him.

“We’ve had Lys in and he has to knuckle down now, because he owes the football club.”

Although Wilder kept most of the subjects raised under wraps, Mousset is understood to have been asked if he wanted to be known for his exploits on the pitch or off it during what one of those present later described as a “friendly but very frank” talks. Although some of those close to the 25-year-old might view the manager’s decision to go public with his concerns as unnecessary, the patience Wilder has shown Mousset actually betrays his fondness for someone whose conditioning leaves much to be desired. Despite being famously intolerant of high-maintenance players, Wilder decided to wrap an arm around Mousset when he elected to return to France before the end of his first season in South Yorkshire following a move from AFC Bournemouth. He also named him in the starting eleven for United’s FA Cup tie at Bristol Rovers less than a week after his sports car was involved in a serious crash on Abbeydale Road, three miles from United’s ground

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“I think he knows it’s coming to the point where his career is going one way or the other,” Wilder said, having first expressed reservations about Mousset’s conduct following United’s 1-1 draw at the London Stadium last term. “We have an asset on our hands if he does produce. He has definite qualities but we don’t have much longer of the season left. A fit and healthy Lys Mousset doesn’t make our group any weaker.”

Lys Mousset impressed on Sheffield United's last visit to West Ham but still has plenty to prove: Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty ImagesLys Mousset impressed on Sheffield United's last visit to West Ham but still has plenty to prove: Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images
Lys Mousset impressed on Sheffield United's last visit to West Ham but still has plenty to prove: Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images

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