Chris Wilder reiterates Sheffield United transfer demand as Tom Cannon January speculation addressed
Chris Wilder reiterates Sheffield United transfer demand as Tom Cannon January speculation addressed
Chris Wilder has reiterated his transfer priority ahead of a crucial January window for Sheffield United, while addressing speculation that the Blades may field interest over striker Tom Cannon when the new-year sales begin. The big-money forward’s derby goal against Wednesday last month has been the catalyst for better displays of late.
He has not yet justified the fee the Blades paid Leicester almost a year ago but there are signs of him getting there, with a weekend report suggesting that he could be a target for rival clubs when the window is prised open.
Preston North End, Cannon’s former loan club, were credited with interest in him in the summer but boss Paul Heckingbottom appeared to pour cold water on suggestions that another approach could follow in January when quizzed by The Star recently, answering simply: “Do you know how much money we’ve got?”
For United the focus remains on strengthening in January - hopefully, Wilder hopes, after extended deals are sorted for Jairo Riedewald and Patrick Bamford - and although that may come by way of thinning out their bloated squad, the Blades chief is not expecting any key men to depart.
“I think there'll be interest in all our players,” he said ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Norwich City. There will be questions asked to us, just as much as I'll be asking questions to other football clubs.
Chris Wilder reiterates Sheffield United transfer demand as Tom Cannon January speculation addressed
“I want to keep the main actors, and Tom's a main actor for us. I want to keep all those boys. Competition for places at the top of the pitch is key, and I've got options now. I want to keep Pat, I want to keep Jairo. Good competition in the middle of the park.
“There are some positions where we're a little bit light, and some positions that will be freed up by players going back. So that's where we will try and improve. I wouldn't be surprised if there are calls regarding players, but we need to get stronger. We don't need to weaken the group.
“We want to get up to January 1st in the best position that we are, and then we want to kick on into the second part of the season. The next 23 games are hugely important to us. Keeping your best players and adding. Look at Gus [Hamer], the best player in the division last season.
“He wants to see Jairo coming into the building. He wants to see Pat Bamford coming into the building. He wants to see good players coming and joining us. For their longer-term ambition as well. They come here to play in the Premier League.
“We dropped out, and they're here to try and get back into that division. You only doing it by having good players, keeping good players. I said in Friday's press conference about Stoke and the reason that they are doing well.
“Mark [Robins] is a good, experienced, established manager. He's got good people around him. They recruit really well and they recruit strong. And that’s what we need to do in January.”