Ex-England international touts Sheffield United's Chris Wilder as ideal candidate to join Premier League giants

Sheffield United's stunning start to the season has taken a host of high-profile pundits by surprise, as Wilder's unfancied squad have managed to demonstrate the value of high-quality coaching and team spirit over rudderless big spending.

Writing for the Daily Star, Merson spoke highly of the Blades boss, and contended: "Chris Wilder has done a fantastic job at Sheffield United and deserves a crack at a really big job at some point.

"We should all be talking about him right now but we’re not. Maybe his name’s too English? But look at what he’s achieved. He was successful at Oxford and Northampton. Two tough jobs. And he’s taken Sheffield United back into the Premier League.

Merson continued: "They are not keeping all those clean sheets by sticking ten men behind the ball either. They play some lovely stuff, get people in the box, and have a go at teams. I think they have actually been a bit unlucky in some games this season but to see them up there in fifth is phenomenal.

The ex-England international went on to suggest that Wilder would be a strong fit for either Arsenal or Spurs, who currently sit sixth and 14th in the Premier League respectively.

"I watched them play Arsenal and there was only one team who knew what they were doing. Arsenal had no idea. That’s good coaching. Managers like Unai Emery and Manuel Pellegrini are under pressure, and okay you never know for sure if a manager can make such a big step up."

"But Chris Wilder has got to be in the conversation the next time a big job comes up. He deserves it."