Sheffield United have been given a Tyler Bindon transfer decision to make - but there could be a catch
It was not all that long ago Sheffield United were mulling over the prospect of sending Nottingham Forest loanee Tyler Bindon back to the City Ground early.
After former manager Rubén Sellés’ swift exit and Chris Wilder’s dramatic return in September, Bindon, who had worked with the former previously at Reading, struggled for game time at Bramall Lane, failing to store a single minute’s worth of football under his belt in any of Wilder’s first 13 games back in charge.
Although the Blades were playing with a back-three for much of that period, Bindon could not buy himself a place in the team, finding himself behind the likes of Japhet Tanganga, Mark McGuinness and Ben Mee in the pecking order.
However, since bringing his long run without any match action to an end, stepping off the bench at half-time in United’s 4-0 win over Stoke City at Bramall Lane on December 6, replacing McGuinness, he has not looked back.
He has since started all but three of United’s last 19 Championship matches, developing a solid rapport with Tanganga in the heart of the Blades’ defence. However, just five days before Christmas, Wilder admitted he was still yet to decide if he wanted to keep Bindon for the remainder of the season as originally planned.
“You've seen there's a player in there and he's had to bide his time,” said the United boss, speaking after his side’s 3-0 win over Birmingham City on December 20. “But he's got an opportunity now and let's see where it goes.
“I’ve not made a decision on it. Tyler’s been excellent around the place, with his attitude. He’s taken his opportunity, and everything’s on the table.”
Starting every game he has been available for since Wilder made the aforementioned admission, United were wise to retain Bindon. He has grown in stature, grown in confidence, and he now has an army of Blades supporters calling for the club to try and sign him permanently this summer.
And a second stint at Bramall Lane isn’t something Bindon is ruling out, admitting: “I always enjoy reflecting on things. I want to learn as a person and grow and develop as much as I can.
“I'm always learning so while I was out of the team, it was just about how I could best put myself forward to help everyone around me in the situation that I was in. Just keep going about my business the way that I know how to do it.
“Who knows what happens beyond then? The future's undecided and no one knows exactly what's going to happen.”
Although any defender would prefer not to work overtime, Bindon has been a busy boy in recent weeks, making a whopping 90 defensive contributions in United’s last six matches. Against Birmingham last time out, for example, he completed 11 clearances, made five recoveries, blocked one shot and made three interceptions to help the Blades leave St Andrew’s with a respectable point in the bag.
Since becoming a staple member of the back-four, the New Zealand international has barely put a foot wrong, demonstrating that Wilder was right to keep him around the place in January.
His recent performances have certainly merited talk of the prospect of him returning to United in the summer, either permanently or on loan. That, though, is likely to rest on Nottingham Forest preserving their Premier League status.
Should Forest beat the drop, that ought to strengthen United’s chances of signing Bindon, who has two years left on his contract at the City Ground, for a second time. However, if they do fall through the Premier League trapdoor, Forest may want to keep him for themselves.
Another factor that may creep into United’s stance on signing Bindon is this summer’s World Cup. Likely to be selected by New Zealand, the prospect of Bindon enjoying a strong tournament will only drive up his asking price and put more of a spotlight on him.
Nevertheless, United should not dismiss the possibility of signing the centre-back for a second time just yet.