Next steps outlined for Sheffield United over key duo’s future as January transfer hint dropped
Next steps outlined for Sheffield United over key duo’s future as January transfer hint dropped
Jairo Riedewald and Patrick Bamford are both keen to extend their stays at Sheffield United beyond the expiry of their short-term contracts next month, manager Chris Wilder has insisted, despite an acknowledgement that the players’ agents will be exploring all the potential options for their clients. The pair both penned deals with United after spells as free agents.
Both are set to expire next month, albeit the exact dates have not been publicly clarified, with both men impressing Unitedites with their displays of late after arriving at Bramall Lane. Riedewald has established himself as a starter in midfield, while Bamford scored his second goal in as many Lane games in Saturday’s 4-0 rout of Stoke City.
But there remains a real possibility that either, or both, could be prised away elsewhere in January after getting up to speed at United, a nightmare scenario that Wilder is understandably keen to avoid as he looks to maintain his side’s good recent run of form.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with struggling Norwich City, which sees his side looking for a fifth straight league win, Wilder reported: “I spoke to both boys, and they want to commit. Their representatives will obviously put the options to them, that they've got on the table.
“It has to be right from a lot of points from then. But the initial talk, between manager and player, is really positive. The vibe that is coming back, that they're giving me, is that they would like the opportunity of staying. Then it's over to other people to hopefully get the deal done.”
Next steps outlined for Sheffield United over key duo’s future as January transfer hint dropped
Wilder has been consistent about the importance of the January window as he looks to put his stamp back on a squad that suffered a huge dent in belief and confidence by their early-season struggles under Ruben Selles, before Wilder returned back in September.
Recent performances and results show that things have turned in the right direction but that can’t be allowed to mask the imbalances that still exist in his bloated squad, with some areas overstocked and others needing a boost in the January sales.
“We need to do Jairo, we need to do Pat,” Wilder added. “One hundred per cent. I said that to Steve [Bettis, chief executive] and I said that to the board, about the effect that those boys have had. We need to fill some positions.
“There are some boys needing football that will go out. There are some boys that will go out, who maybe are not up to where we need to be. There are all different reasons. I don't want a bloated squad. There are far too many players in the building at the moment, so we're working hard on moving those boys out.
“I want quality additions. I don't want loan signings sat in the stand and not being anywhere near the first team. If we free loans up, I want players to come in and push, like they did last season. Alfie Gilchrist, Jes [Rak-Sakyi] pushed. The boys in the second half of the season.
“Hamza [Choudhury], Ben Brereton Diaz, they pushed and played. Genuine competition. And nothing's changed. We need to have a big January, we all know that. Going into that January, we want to be on the front foot on the pitch, and be on the front foot off of it as well.”