Ex-Sheffield United defender hints at Chris Wilder reason for surprise Jairo Riedewald decision
Sheffield United’s retained list was published earlier this month.
Former Sheffield United defender Matt Kilgallon has opened up on why he thinks Jairo Riedewald was released at the end of the 2025/26 Championship season.
Riedewald's departure was a shock for many fans who thought he still had a lot to give to the Blades, but Kilgallon believes supporters should trust the decision-making of Chris Wilder.
"It's an interesting one this because he only signed for a short deal at the start, then he's obviously impressed, and they've gone, ‘I'll tell you what, we'll have you until the end of the season,’ so he's always done something right at the start," Kilgallon told The Star via betting sites Ireland.
"I think the fans think there's a definite player in there, Chris Wilder knows how to get a club out of the Championship, doesn't he? He knows what characters he needs in that changing room and what lads work well with others.
"I'm not saying Jairo isn't a good lad, but is it something like that where Wilder isn’t looking for that sort of player, but someone he knows works in this league. He knows what players he needs around the changing rooms.
"He needs his centre midfielders to be playing 85-90% of the games, he likes keeping the same team, doesn't he? So there's got to be something, it could be wages, but there's definitely something where Chris Wilder's gone, actually, ‘if he doesn't want to do this or sign for this, we'll let him go,’ that's what I think.
"I think if you wind Chris Wilder up or get his back up, I think he's not afraid to show you the door."
Meanwhile, Kilgallon also shared his thoughts on Patrick Bamford, who scored 12 times in 28 Championship games for the Blades during the 2025/26 campaign.
On his future, Kilgallon said: "He's scored goals, he hasn't played that much for them, but when he has played, he's scored, and it seems, it looks like he and Wilder get on well.
"It all depends on wages with Bamford as well, I think he's been on really good wages, hasn't he? Can Sheffield United meet that? Can they meet the contract? It all depends on what sort of backing he gets, but I think if you do give him a bit of backing, Chris Wilder will get them right near the Play-Offs, that's for sure."