Revealed: The evidence which convinced Sheffield United Anel Ahmedhodzic was the right man
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After scoring his first goal since arriving at Bramall Lane earlier this summer, during Wednesday’s win over Sunderland at Bramall Lane, Ahmedhodzic is expected to make his latest appearance in United colours when Blackburn Rovers visit South Yorkshire this weekend.
The ease with which the 23-year-old has adapted to United’s system, which requires their centre-halves to both repel and instigate attacks, has come as a surprise to some given the demands it places upon Heckingbottom’s players.
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But speaking after watching Ahmedhodzic add to his collection of man-of-the-match awards with another accomplished performance in midweek, United’s manager explained why neither he nor his coaching staff are among them.
“Malmo, especially in Europe, they went about things in a different way to how we do it here,” Heckingbottom said. “But Bosnia, they want their lads at the back to step out more and that’s the same as we ask them to do here. You could see Anel doing it there, for them, and so we knew he could do it and would be comfortable playing that way as well.”
Ahmedhodzic proved his defensive capabilities during Malmo’s march into the group stages of the CL last term, which saw him face the likes of Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Paulo Dybala before the Swedes eventually bowed out of the competition.
Acquired for £3m, the money United invested to acquire Ahmedhodzic’s services already looks like a bargain although, if he continues in the same vein, Heckingbottom’s marquee summer signing is bound to attract the attention of rival clubs at the end of the present campaign; whether United gain promotion from the Championship or not.
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Hide Ad“We knew exactly what we were getting with Anel,” Heckingbottom said. “Because of the matches he’d been involved in before coming here. I think what struck a chord with him was the fact that we first went for him in January and then maintained that interest all the way through.
“We gave him a presentation, showed him what we wanted him to do, and he thought it really suited him.”
Having started his professional career with Nottingham Forest, Ahmedhodzic joined Malmo in January 2019 before completing spells on loan with Hobro IK and Bordeaux. He had been destined to join the French club before a financial imposition saw them relegated to the Championnat National, although they were later allowed to compete in Ligue 2 following a successful appeal against that sanction.
Jan Dahl Tomasson, the former Malmo manager, is now in charge of Rovers and also attempted to lure Ahmedhodzic back to England during the close season.
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Hide AdThe Dane’s knowledge of his game means this weekend’s fixture could be Ahmedhodzic’s toughest since arriving at United yet but Heckingbottom said: “He’s a quality player who will keep getting better.”