Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder makes Derby County transfer blueprint admission ahead of summer rebuild
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has used Derby County as an example to hint at what he needs from this summer’s transfer window.
Manager Chris Wilder believes Sheffield United should take a leaf out of Derby County’s book in their quest to climb the Championship table next season.
The Blades chief made the admission after watching his side fight back from 1-0 down to beat the Rams 2-1 on the final day of the season at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon, denying their hosts a play-off spot.
Sammie Szmodics gave Derby an early lead, tapping home with just five minutes on the clock, but United flipped the game on its head in the second half via goals from Tom Cannon and Sydie Peck, meaning they brought an underwhelming campaign to an end on a high.
Despite Wilder being satisfied with his side ending the season with 60 points to their name, it is no secret that he has big plans to oversee a transformative summer that he hopes will propel United up the table next season.
And although Derby did not do quite enough to sneak into the play-off places, missing out on the final berth to Hull City, who claimed sixth with a 2-1 win over Norwich City, Wilder is a big fan of the job John Eustace has done at Pride Park, suggesting their recruitment should be an example United aspire to try and follow.
Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield: “What I will say is, full credit to Derby County. I think they’re an example. They have got some good young players, some good loans, but if you look at their team, he [Eustace] has got a few of the boys that we know.
“I managed Matt Clarke, Player of the Year here. Rhian [Brewster] I’ve had. I’ve had Ben Brereton Díaz. Lewis Travis I admire and tried to sign. Carlton Morris is a top player in this division.
“So when you’re building a team, you look and you have got to have some really strong foundations and people who know their way around the Championship and know their way around Bramall Lane when it is at its best and when it’s not at its best.
“That isn’t a negative or a criticism, but that is the expectation and players have to deal with that, and maybe that is where we fell a little bit short.”