Chris Wilder has already addressed pressing contract situation Sheffield United are about to face
Although nothing is impossible in football, Sheffield United’s chances of sneaking into the Championship play-off places are now as good as over.
Last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Wrexham has left the Blades 17th in the Championship table, 13 points shy of the final top six spot. With just 21 points left to play for, United will require a miracle from here to extend their campaign.
Costly decisions that were made last summer, inconsistency, failing to retain leads and a poor record against top half teams are just some of the elements that look set to contribute to United falling short. On the flip side, a mid-table finish, for example, would be an achievement considering where they were just a few weeks into the season.
But with their promotion hopes all but dead in the water, United’s focus will soon switch to the summer and attempting to assemble a squad that manager Chris Wilder will believe is better equipped to have a stab at earning promotion back to the Premier League next term.
The Blades chief has frequently outlined the need to make various changes to reshape the squad to ensure that it matches his vision. Several players that were signed last summer almost certainly would not have been brought to Bramall Lane had Wilder been at the helm, offering an indication of the level of work that will be required ahead of next season.
But as well as trying to offload players that do not feature in Wilder’s plans to try and take United forward, the Blades are almost certain to receive interest from other clubs for players who do feature in his plans, namely Gustavo Hamer.
As the summer approaches, Hamer is about to enter the final year of his contract at Bramall Lane. Signed from Coventry City in August 2023, the Brazilian-born midfielder signed a four-year deal, keeping him at the club until June 2027.
With just over a year left on his existing deal, plenty of noise is already surrounding Hamer’s future amid the prospect of him being sold this summer to ensure United avoid the risk of losing him for free on a pre-contract agreement next January or for free at the end of next season.
Although his form has blown hot and cold this summer, Hamer has continued to remind people of his quality, registering more assists (ten) than any player in the Championship this season. He is an outstanding operator at this level, and he has demonstrated he can cut it in the Premier League.
Wilder, last month, confirmed talks were going to be held concerning Hamer’s contract status, likewise that of Tyrese Campbell, whose deal is also up next summer.
We have to come to a decision with Gus and Tyrese, because they’re in the last 18 months of their deals as well,” said Wilder. “So talks with them.
“But there has to be enthusiasm from other clubs for the boys' services as well, so ongoing stuff that can go either way. What I'm seeing at the moment, and what I demand of everybody, is a committed group.
“We don't get the results and get the performances that we have if we're not committed. So Ty and Gus are with us for 18 months, and I demand and expect committed performances. And they’re producing.”
Come the start of the summer transfer window, Hamer will have entered the final 12 months of his current deal, meaning it would be no great surprise to see clubs chance their luck by attempting to extract the midfield architect from Bramall Lane for a cut-price fee. Although United will not want to lose him for nothing potentially as soon as next January, Wilder has already made it crystal clear they will not simply give him away.
“It's not just about if the player doesn't want to be here,” Wilder argued. “It's about what's best for the football club as well, so that has to be taken into consideration. So any player can go: ‘I don't want to be here,’ but we're not going to give Gus away.
“If Gus decides not to sign a new deal and we decide to say, well, maybe we have to open it up to offers, and somebody comes in with two bob and a conker, we're not going to accept it, are we? And why should we? So that's the way things roll. But everything's on the table.
“It happens at every club. But if it comes to the stage where Gus doesn't want to sign a new contract - just as an example - he understands that he wants to play football. And he's got to be committed to what we do and play and go by our rules, not anybody else's rules.”
Recently, United chief executive Stephen Bettis warned the club will have no choice but to reduce its wage bill in the event of not earning promotion.
He told the Yorkshire Post: "We won't be selling players to bring in cash (but) we may have to sell players to reduce the wage bill to meet the requirements.”
Next season is set to be the first time in eight seasons that United have not been equipped with parachute payments.