Another signing, O'Connell for England and Ethan Ampadu - Key talking points from Chris Wilder's Sheffield United press conference ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers clash

Chris Wilder and new signing Ethan Ampadu faced the media virtually this morning to preview Monday night's Premier League season opener at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Chris Wilder and Nuno Espirito Santo will lock horns again when Sheffield United take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bramall Lane on Monday evening. Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images.Chris Wilder and Nuno Espirito Santo will lock horns again when Sheffield United take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bramall Lane on Monday evening. Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images.
Chris Wilder and Nuno Espirito Santo will lock horns again when Sheffield United take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bramall Lane on Monday evening. Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images.

Here, our man Danny Hall reports some of the key talking points to emerge from the Zoom call.

Ampadu knows he hasn't made it yet

A refreshing attitude from a young man who has come from a giant of the Premier League in Chelsea, but knows that he has work to do to get into United's team and stay there. He has played more times for his country than his club, but Ampadu rejected suggestions that he was an established international player in his first press conference as a United man and clearly has his feet on the ground - helped, he admitted, by the influence of his father, the former Arsenal, West Brom and Swansea midfielder Kwame.

Wilder is happy with his business - but isn't finished

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The United manager promised recently that he was close to breakthroughs in the transfer market, and didn't disappoint with four new arrivals this week. But he is still chasing another striker - who could be Liverpool's Rhian Brewster - and admitted that, although it was likey to be a loan and the Blades would like to wrap it up as soon as possible, he may have to be patient and wait for a decision to be made by the player's parent club.

Don't forget the biggest signing of the lot

Four signings in a week will always excite fans, but Wilder was at pains to point out that the biggest and most important signing of United's window so far actually came at the start of it, when Aaron Ramsdale returned to Bramall Lane after a hiatus on the south coast with AFC Bournemouth. Wilder revealed that England boss Gareth Southgate regards Ramsdale as very much part of the group of England 'keepers, and to get him for the fee United paid shouldn't be forgotten despite the flurry of signings since.

Jack O'Connell for England

In the week that a few high-profile pundits bemoaned the lack of a quality, left-footed English centre half to improve the national team, Wilder gave a welcome, timely and deserved vote of confidence for Jack O'Connell - a quality, left-footed English centre half who was part of statistically one of the best defences in the Premier League last season. But it shouldn't just be O'Connell looking to force his way into the senior set-up, according to Wilder. He shoe-horned John Lundstram's name into that particular conversation, too, and also revealed that George Baldock's conversations about representing Greece at international level are also gathering pace.

Second season syndrome talk 'irrelevant' to the manager

Some people seem to think it will condemn them to relegation; others think it's a load of nonsense, which is backed up by the stats. But second season syndrome has found its way into the book of football cliches, and Wilder isn't having it. "All that's irrelevant for me," he said today. United, he added, have to start the season with the same desire and attitude as they began the last one. He believes the group is stronger - I think it's hard to argue - and it's time, in his own words, for them to 'walk the walk'.