Sheffield United boss makes an admission - and a prediction - about striker Lys Mousset

By his own admission, there are moments when Chris Wilder isn’t quite sure what is going on inside Lys Mousset’s head.
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“He’s on his own,” the Sheffield United manager laughed during this afternoon’s media briefing. “That’s what he’s like, our favourite Frenchman.”

But what he does know, after revealing both the former AFC Bournemouth centre-forward and his team mate John Fleck could return from injury against West Ham, is that Mousset possesses the calibre and sense of occasion to be a game-changer for a United side which enters Sunday’s fixture searching for its first win of the new season.

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“There’s some big challenges ahead and, to get him back, that’s a massive boost for us,” Wilder said, confirming Mousset, like Fleck, resumed full contact training earlier this week. “He’s a key player, he brings something different to the table and is a smashing lad. Everyone knows what he can produce and that’s why he’s so popular with the fans.”

A relative unknown when he arrived at Bramall Lane 16 months ago, Mousset burst onto the scene by scoring five times in 10 outings at the beginning of last term - with one of those efforts coming when United drew 1-1 at the London Stadium in October. Although a series of fitness and personal issues, some of which related to the Covid-19 pandemic, prevented him from building on that progress, that explosive run over the Autumn period convinced Wilder and his staff they had acquired a genuine Premier League striker after signing the 24-year-old. The question remains, however, does Mousset himself realise just how good he can be? Before damaging a toe towards the end of United’s summer friendly against Preston North End, doubts had begun to emerge about his focus and conditioning.

“There are times when you do get the opportunity to reflect,” Wilder said, suggesting Mousset has experienced a footballing epiphany during the international break. “I have myself and I know I’m a demanding manager who puts everything on the players, which is why it gives me so much pride when they do well.”

“The performances Lys produced for us last season, they really added to our team,” Wilder continued. “They weren't mug teams we were playing. Look at how well he played at Manchester City over Christmas. He’s a big game player.

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“It was difficult for the younger lads, especially the foreign ones, when the country went into lockdown and they found themselves stuck indoors and away from their families.

Lys Mousset could return to action for Sheffield United against West Ham at Bramall Lane: Simon Bellis/SportimageLys Mousset could return to action for Sheffield United against West Ham at Bramall Lane: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Lys Mousset could return to action for Sheffield United against West Ham at Bramall Lane: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

“I thought he had a decent pre-season, until what happened happened. You could see he was getting there and his challenge now is to show what he’s shown me in training, in terms of his attitude and his displays, out there on the pitch.”

Fleck’s return to fitness promises to be an equally significant moment for United, who have lost seven and drawn one of their first eight outings since finishing ninth last term. With doubts about the availability of John Egan and Rhian Brewster, who both sustained knocks while away with their respective countries, Wilder must also wait to see if Sander Berge received permission to feature following a coronavirus outbreak in Norway’s recent training camp. Despite reports he had been ordered to remain in Oslo, Berge returned to Sheffield earlier this week.

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