Sheffield United boss makes a bold prediction

Chris Wilder believes Sheffield United are now in a position to keep their best young players after insisting the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and David Brooks would still be at Bramall Lane had the club reached the Premier League before he was appointed four years ago.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.

Calvert-Lewin, who is being tipped for a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad, and Wales international Brooks both graduated from United’s Steelphalt Academy only to be lured away by Everton and AFC Bournemouth respectively.

But having steered them from the third to the first tier of English football since taking charge in 2016 Wilder, whose side enters Saturday’s game against Brighton and Hove Albion ranked sixth in the table, is convinced neither Calvert-Lewin nor Brooks would have been tempted to leave if United had reached the top-flight sooner.

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“There’s been some (departures) we couldn’t do a lot about,” Wilder, who was also forced to sell Che Adams soon after taking charge, said. “Dominic, Che and Brooksy for instance.

“Where the club was at that particular moment, it was difficult to stand in their way.

“But one of the things that gives us hope is that they would have had a more difficult decision now because we’re in a more powerful position.”

After performing wonders at first team level, Wilder recently announced his intention to reinvigorate United’s youth programme which has also been responsible for producing the likes of Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire, Phil Jagielka and Billy Sharp.

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Calvert-Lewin made 12 appearances for United before joining Everton three months after Wilder took charge. Adams, now of Southampton, had already departed while Brooks left South Yorkshire two years later.

Che Adams (L), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (SL), Mark Duffy and Ben Whiteman at a Sheffield United kit launchChe Adams (L), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (SL), Mark Duffy and Ben Whiteman at a Sheffield United kit launch
Che Adams (L), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (SL), Mark Duffy and Ben Whiteman at a Sheffield United kit launch

Wilder, who aims to consolidate United’s progress by handing new contracts to John Lundstram, John Fleck, Enda Stevens and John Egan between now and the end of the campaign, added: “I think every club is a selling club but we’re in such a powerful position and I’d like to think those boys now wouldn’t be looking to play their football elsewhere.”