Alan Biggs: Why I believe Lys Mousset deserves a second chance at Sheffield United

Not more speed. Not more strength. Not more potential.

The point is the Blades are at a stage where they really need more than potential. They’d buy it if they could.

Fact is they can’t. Fact is, if Mousset converts his “potential” and flourishes Sheffield United couldn’t afford him.

Which means that the French striker has a chance, if he gets himself fully fit and firing, that might not have been available to him in other circumstances.

But, on balance, I feel he is worth that second chance and deserves it also.

Chris Wilder’s irritation with the 24-year-old has been barely concealed at times.

And yet managers get most uptight about players who are worth bothering with; most frustrated with those of the greatest natural ability.

In other words, they are worth pushing harder, rather than left to under-achieve.

I think Mousset, after six goals and some fitful brilliance last season, merits that attention.

And right now United don’t have much alternative.

He didn’t come cheap at £10m from Bournemouth and yet, if he put all his attributes together, he could be genuinely worth four or five times that.

This season will decide Mousset’s career direction from this crossroads.

There are clubs, I’m sure, who would at least give United their money back.

You’d bet Wilder wouldn’t hang around if the player didn’t kick on.