Late-window transfer flurry signals Sheffield United optimism as ‘cheat code’ arrival shows Blades still believe
Late-window transfer flurry signals Sheffield United optimism as ‘cheat code’ arrival shows Blades still believe
They left it late and, as is always the case, their supporters were left wishing for just one more. But Sheffield United came out of the January transfer window last night undoubtedly stronger than they entered it, and with optimism at what could still yet be to come.
Sure, they didn’t get everything they wanted. A winger would have turned a very good window into an exceptional one, with fan interest piqued by the revelation of interest in exciting Barnsley wide man Reyes Cleary.
There were even suggestions of a failed deadline-day bid for West Brom man Mikey Johnston, which we understand to have been wide of the mark. Such is the madness of deadline day, which saw United’s last two bits of business announced after the 7pm cut-off point.
It seems an age ago now that Ki-Jana Hoever arrived as the first fresh face of the month and boss Chris Wilder argues that United’s window work began even earlier, with the free transfer arrivals of striker Patrick Bamford and midfielder Jairo Riedewald.
Both have set the standard for new boys to try and reach, coming into United and having an instant impact. Hoever has not quite managed to do that just yet, showing a touch of ring-rust, but there remains a steadfast belief that he will come good.
That is so often the conundrum in January; teams need players to come in and hit the ground running but invariably they have not been playing at their parent clubs - otherwise they wouldn’t be available for transfer.
Late-window transfer flurry signals Sheffield United optimism as ‘cheat code’ arrival shows Blades still believe
Hoever, with eight games under his belt before arriving at United, was relatively up to speed. Leo Hjelde, the first of three United arrivals on deadline day, hasn’t played since May’s play-off final win over United for Sunderland.
Kalvin Phillips, who was confirmed just after 7pm, has tasted seven minutes of action this season, plus added time, in the EFL Cup. At least Joe Rothwell, who completed a final-day hat-trick of former Leeds United men, is a little more in tune, his last appearance coming midway through last month in a 5-0 cup win over Annan.
But the pedigree of all four is undoubted, plugging some valuable gaps in Wilder’s squad and allowing him to at least begin the process of undoing the immeasurable damage caused during a disastrous summer.
Wilder was effectively left trying to reconstruct a squad in the most difficult window and in the circumstances United have probably done just about as well as they could. The signing of Phillips, courtesy of a hefty subsidy from Manchester City, is surely the most eye-catching in the whole of the Championship this season.
Phillips not so long ago was England’s player of the year and helped them to the final of Euro 2020, in 2021, before they lost in heartbreaking fashion to Italy. Just two and a half years ago, he was part of the City squad that won the Champions League.
If he can get himself going again on his return to his native Yorkshire, then Phillips could be an absolute cheat code at Championship level.
There will be inevitable concerns about his form and fitness after a prolonged period on the sidelines but if he can get himself going again on his return to his native Yorkshire, then Phillips could be an absolute cheat code at Championship level.
What a role model, too, for United’s young middle men Oliver Arblaster and Sydie Peck to learn from. To observe how such a highly-decorated figure goes about his work; one who, crucially, was seemingly not content with sitting on the sidelines at City and did not think he is above a drop back to the Championship.
Rothwell’s arrival is one with half an eye on next season and another expected big rebuild next summer. But with their final-day work in particular, United have perhaps signalled that they are not giving up on achieving something special before that.