The key test all potential Sheffield United signings must pass

Despite leading United to a ninth placed finish last term, only a year after gaining promotion from the Championship, Wilder’s words confirm he expects the 2020/21 campaign to prove just as tough as a season disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic - with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea already flexing their financial muscles.

Wilder, whose own recruitment budget has been hit by the global health crisis, said: “We’re here to create mentally tough footballers because that’s what the game is about. The physical side of it is big and so are the tactical and technical sides. But the mentality is huge from my point of view, because we’re putting our players up against world class superstars.

“Playing as a team, recovering from disappointment, handling good moments and being consistent in your approach - those are so important. That’s been key and it will be moving forward.”

After breaking their own transfer record on numerous occasions since climbing out of the Championship, United are expected to adopt a lower key approach towards the present transfer window, with Reading midfielder John Swift among those to attract Wilder’s attention in recent weeks. Although the likes of Billy Sharp, David McGoldrick, Chris Basham and Oliver Norwood are among those to recently accept new contracts, the slow progress of negotiations with other players illustrates United’s determination to keep a tight rein on spending and preserve their wage structure.

“When the players come back, do they feel they’ve landed in the Premier League or do they have that desire, aggression and drive to go again? That’s going to be key,” Wilder said, suggesting complacency could be an even bigger threat to United’s top-flight status than their relatively meagre budget. “I certainly have that and now the players have got to show those qualities again if they are going to go on and become established Premier League players. They’ve got themselves here and now they’ve got to maintain that going forward.”

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