17 players out of contract – who leaves, who stays?
With deals expiring in June, our editor picks the out-of-contract players Chris Wilder should tie down next season.
I write this ahead of tonight’s home game against Arsenal. In previous years, such ties would’ve coaxed an irrational dose of optimism out of me. But even if we win tonight, the gap to 17th-placed Forest is greater than that of Blades to Boro last season when fans feared we might balls up automatic promotion — we didn’t, and we won’t make up the deficit in a higher league this season.
And so, every remaining game in 2023-24 has to be seen as an opportunity to scrutinise the batch of players with contracts expiring at the end of this season. There are 17 of those, (including loanees), and what follows are my views — in the here and now — about who should stay and who should go.
It’s not been easy. I’ve tried to move beyond recency bias because whilst most of the bunch are ill-equipt for life in the top flight, it would be foolish to ignore those with qualities we will need in the long slog of a Championship season.
Those qualities mostly come down to the on-the-pitch stuff. Can they kick it, head it and tackle? Can they run around? Can they pass? Do they offer us a level of control in the second tier that they don’t in the first?
Two other facets are harder to pin down: leadership and experience. Whilst I’m deeply uninterested in bad players with either or both qualities, there is surely some benefit in maintaining a core group of players who understand the club and police standards off and on the pitch. Think Billy Sharp last season.
Moreover, whilst I am instinctively of the view that this is an opportunity to start afresh, there is no reason to assume that wholesale changes to the squad will bring short-term benefits. Ultimately, if we want to make a decent fist of a promotion tilt, we need to raise the ceiling of the squad and first XI, and for me, that is more easily achieved through the work of evolution, not revolution.
I’ve got 5 or 6 staying put. Please do let me know your thoughts on my selections, and inevitably, where I’ve got it wrong.
Stays or goes?
James McAtee (End of Loan)
Let’s start with loanees whose futures are not in our gift. There’s an infinitesimally small chance of signing James McAtee on another loan. In fact, what am I talking about? There’s no chance. If we could, we surely would. But we can’t. …Surely, we can’t?
McAtee Goes
Ben Brereton Díaz (End of Loan)
There’s a small chance of signing Breton Díaz on another loan or permanently. The fee required to sign him is likely upward of £9m, and that’s the potential cost of 2-3 signings. He has impressed in the few starts he’s had, but Wilder has spoken about the importance of availability, so it seems implausible that we’d try and do a high-cost deal for such a player. That said, having performed well in Championship seasons in the past, I’m sure we’ll have more than a passing interest. But even if we go in for him, will we be the best offer? Not sure.
Brereton Díaz Goes
Mason Holgate (End of loan)
Wilder, and even Heckingbottom before him, made a beeline for the Everton loanee. What we have seen since his arrival has been somewhere between average and exceedingly bad. Holgate had a wincingly poor time at Southampton earlier this season in the Championship, and any move for him in the summer would be, in my view, a retrograde step from a one-legged Chris Basham.
Holgate Goes
Yasser Larouci (Option to buy)
The one loanee whose future is within our gift, I would argue that Larouci is a better player than many fans give him credit for. That said, he’s done nothing to get us excited about his “option to buy” and I doubt Wilder will entertain another year, even in the league below.
Larouci goes
John Egan
With the loanees out of the way, this first of several tricky decisions about players currently under contract. But once rationalised, I think it’s the easiest. John Egan has been THE MOST available player for Sheffield United (bar Oliver Norwood) since his arrival until the serious injury he picked up earlier in the year. If his recovery from that injury is smooth, then extending his stay at Bramall Lane should be a no-brainer. Before you think about his qualities as a player, it stands to reason that the club should maintain a spine of individuals who understand what it takes to be a Sheffield United player and demand high standards from those around them. Egan fits that bracket. And, at Championship level, he has proven himself time and again. Ask yourself, can we buy better than Egan for cheaper? I think not. Is it worth wasting time and resources looking for better? I don’t think so. Can he be part of a successful defensive unit? We know he can.
Egan stays
Wes Foderingham/Adam Davies/Jordan Amissah
We need a second-choice keeper if, as assumed, Ivo Grbić is our first-choice stopper next season. I’d rather it was Wes than the others, but it will be no surprise if he looks to find first-team football elsewhere. It shouldn’t be too tricky to find relatively cheap competition on a permanent or via a top-flight loan, so unless Wes fancies it, they can all go.
If not Wes…they all go
Daniel Jebbison
If everyone on this list (bar the loanees) had a 5-year deal at Bramall Lane, then arguably Daniel Jebbison would be the highest-value player among the lot. For that reason alone, if we can get him to sign a new contract it would be prudent to do so. I know some fans are unsure about his talent (I remain pretty convinced), but that’s not the point. Jebbision is a net asset that either performs well for the club or provides income in the future — preferably both!
Jebbision stays
Jayden Bogle
This one doesn’t fall into the ‘tricky decision’ bucket. Jayden Bogle has, in the months since Chris Wilder took over, benefited most from the new regime. His decision-making is sometimes lacking, but his short passing and dribbling ability make him an ideal starter in a Championship season where we need to attack teams — even this season, he’s made the 4th most progressive carries at the club, and the most by a defender. At 23 years old, he has enough of a future ahead of him to warrant a contract and if we were to let him leave on a free, he would be playing Championship football for one of our rivals.
Bogle stays
George Baldock
This is tough. Perhaps the toughest call. Because I think George Baldock might be the most Sheffield United player in a decade. By the measure of leadership and experience, I’d get the contract renewed right away. On the measure of ability, I’d be tempted to renew too. However, the biggest blot on Baldock’s copybook is availability: he’s missed key pockets of games in three consecutive seasons, and with the arrival of Sam Curtis — plus the possibility of renewing Bogle’s deal — three right-backs is one too many. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised or upset if Baldock stays: he offers cover across the backline, and, put simply, I love him.
Baldock goes (v tentatively)
Oli McBurnie
I’m always surprised at the extent to which McBurnie inspires such marmite reviews. Personally, I’m a card-carrying member of the Big Mac club. Yes, his availability is bordering on horrendous. Yes, his disciplinary record carries with it “liability” status. But when he is available, McBurnie offers more than goals in the red and white; Ed Morris (@datawithed) gave a great account of his qualities on The Pinch earlier this year, and I won’t regurgitate those now. But I will say this: Sheffield United Football Club are unlikely to spend the money required to buy a better striker than McBurnie in the coming window — strikers with goals, assists and experience at this level are not easy to find. If we can reach a deal that recognises his too-often unavailability, then I’d be keeping him. Can we reach that deal? Not sure. Will he have other offers? Yes.
McBurnie stays
Ben Osborn
I’ve never understood Ben Osborn or his £3.9 million transfer fee. He’s always chalked up as a “utility man” but lacks the height or 1vs1 defending to play at LB/LWB, and lacks the composure, passing ability, vision or physicality as a central midfielder. He’s a tidy enough left-midfielder who can press. No room for such a specific and specifically limited player in a top-half Championship side. If he leaves on a free, it won’t be to a team vying for the top 6 places.
Osborn goes
Max Lowe
Max Lowe is another with a below-optimum record of availability. The difference between him and, say, McBurnie, is the impact he brings to the first XI, or lack of it. Lowe is a solid enough player at Championship level, and I don’t think it’ll be an easy decision for Chris Wilder one way or the other. For me, the LB/LWB slot should be one of our biggest spending priorities in the summer; we need to add the sort of player who brings a level of consistent attacking threat beyond the capabilities of a Max Lowe. Add in the fact that Harry Boyes (out on loan in League One) brings the prospect of decent cover, and I think will be Lowe’s last season with the Blades.
Max Lowe goes
Rhys Norrington-Davies
Watching RND leave the pitch against Luton with yet another serious injury was difficult. A tremendously sad moment for a player who’d been out of the starting line-up for the best part of two years. The Blades have felt the absence of a defender who’s comfortably good enough for the Championship, who brings greater attacking impetus than those he competes with at LWB, and who would — barring injury — be a nailed-on cert for a contract in the summer. But his lack of availability may well bring his Sheffield United career to an end. But caveat at the ready: if there’s a deal to be done with pay-as-you-play incentives, I’d get it over the line if I were CW.
RND goes (…with big caveat)
Oliver Norwood (Option for 1 year extension)
I will agree wholeheartedly with his detractors that Oliver Norwood lacks the legs needed for the top-flight. But the quality of players in the Championship doesn’t necessitate the need for physicality in every area. More to the point, any player with a passing range as ridiculous as Norwood’s, who offers control and makes an above-average number of tackles and interceptions will be a wanted man. If we let him go, don’t be surprised if the team that picks him up gets promoted next season. Because, like it or lump it, Norwood brings qualities very few teams possess, and even at 32 years old, his availability is unquestionable.
He’ll either be the missing piece in the jigsaw for another team or help make a pretty picture at Bramall Lane. Short of a Tommy Doyle-standard signing (highly unlikely), Sheffield United will not be able to replace Norwood like for like. And to lose the best long-passer in the second tier of English football whilst holding the option of a 1-year deal would be criminal in my mind.
Norwood stays
Chris Basham
Already replaced in the side by Anel Ahmedodzic, Chris Basham’s Sheffield United career was in its winter before that horrific leg break at Fulham. One of the club’s record appearance makers, he will most likely leave at the end of the season as the embodiment of a decade of success. Three promotions two relegations and a litany of play-off and cup heartbreaks later, Basham deserves his place amongst the legends of the Lane. But all great stories have to end sometime, and I’d be very surprised if this wasn’t the final chapter.
Basham goes, with every best wish and a million memories
Good reasons given. Don't completely agree with all but opinions aren't sacred or anything are they? So mine would be the same basically.
Loans:
McAtee... There's just no chance, is there? Even if Citeh decide he's not for them (which would shock me), he's done enough even in a woeful side to show that he's at the very least a Premier League player, and in my view is comfortably a top 6 player in the making.
Holgate- gone. I don't want to see him play for us again. His daft challenge showed a bit of disrespect for the club and the fans in my view. I know he's a player we'd been after for a good 5 years in total, but as with a few of Wilder's long term targets in the past (Ricky Holmes, Samir Carruthers etc) it's one that hasn't worked, which fans were already tepid at best towards.
Controversial, but I'd keep Larouci. I think he's shown at times that in a side who dominate possession and attack a lot he'd be a decent option at champ level, and also he's already had a year with the squad, and given that I agree about letting Lowe go on a free (spoilers), we'll need the cover at LWB. His performances this season, in a side who spend ¾ of every game pegged deep into their own half and with him having some of the responsibility for getting us out, he's not shone, but worth remembering he's only 20, and some of the qualities he DOES have are already good, and he's at least improved at most other things, even if he's definitely still no Prem player. Also, If we let Lowe go, have massive question marks over RND and maybe let him go, then we'll need to sign and bed in at least 2 LWBs without Larouci. With him being made permanent, we would only need to sign one (a first choice one)
I think I'd quite like to go for BBD over picking between 2-3 other striking options. If we also have Brewster, Osula, and possibly Jebbison (should he actually sign, which seems less likely as time goes on), and the chance to keep Traoré, I feel we're fairly well stocked and only really missing a ruthless goalscorer, so I'd rather have an expensive BBD than settle for someone cheap. I understand completely that he'll probably have better options than going back to championship level just over a year later, but from our perspective, we're only going to have one season of parachute money this time. We'll have to go all out, so having one expensive go at bouncing straight back is our best chance IMO
Permanents:
Egan - Stay. Especially if he's fit again before summer.
Already said Lowe should go. I don't think he's as awful as a lot of fans do, but he's far from great. I think we can do better fishing in the championship pond for a new first choice there, and have Larouci as a cheap alternative option.
Of the keepers- in the unlikely event that Wes is happy to stay on as a backup option I'd give him a new deal, but I don't think he will be.
Davies was just about good enough as a backup in the champ, and I wouldn't trust him in the Prem. I think it's best for all involved if he leaves in summer.
Personally I'd like to see Amissah given a deal, and either made no.2 or sent on a good loan, somewhere he'll be pushing for promotion from league one maybe.
RND I'd be offering a new deal to but with similar caveats on the fitness front. Maybe offer him a 2 year deal with some appearance related bonuses rather than pay as you play (a player of his age is unlikely to accept not getting the regular wage, but might be prepared to lay off some of it until he's his made X number of appearances)
Baldock I'd be offering new terms to but not being held to ransom. We know he's wanted in Greece, and the opportunity to play European football will be a big pull to him, even if the level of the league is no better than the championship.
Because of the uncertainty around Baldock, I'd be offering Bogle a new deal with no hesitation. I also believe he's good enough to justify being the new regular first choice there, & having future recruitment take his game into consideration.
Ozzy - another controversial one, but I'd keep him. I feel like his versatility is going to be essential to any rebuilding project at least in the short term. If, as I believe we need to, we have to stop being so wedded to the idea that we play 3-5-2, and a rebuild being the perfect time to stop living in the past like it's still 2016-2019, then having a player who knows our squad, knows the coaching staff, and can be used to at least decent effect in multiple different roles will be vital. If we were staying up I'd be thinking about letting go, but at championship level I think he'll be needed.
Norwood - stay. All the reasons you said. Too good to just let go.
McBurnie - keep, and possibly make captain. I think he's shone more when he had some responsibility. Last season Hecky gave him McAtee to take under his wing and both his performances and his discipline improved.
Bash - I actually said we should have let go in summer, but I understand why we kept him. This year though, give him his testimonial and either release him to go and play out his last year or two elsewhere, or if he's almost ready to retire and happy with playing a reduced role, then offer him a player coach contract while he does his coaching badges. Ever since he arrived (even his disappointing first season) I've always seen him going into coaching and being good at it.
Jebbo - I'm never sure really. He has flashes of being one of the best our academy has ever turned out in recent years, but equally sometimes looks either out of depth or disinterested. I'd keep him if he's willing to commit to 3-4 years, but if he's going to keep looking for an out at the first opportunity I don't know if it's worth what it would cost to keep him.
Long and short is that I believe we have to go forward on the basis that we can't be as wedded to 3-5-2. Any rebuild needs to account for flexibility, and for more attacking formations. I think we've looked best in the last couple of seasons playing that 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 (last season was most notable when it was Iliman and Macca playing in the half spaces behind either McBurnie or Jebbo, sort of like two 10s, rather than playing as wide forwards or wide mids). But I also think that the 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3, or the 4-2-3-1 that's a 4-2-1-3 in attacking phases have looked really effective.
I’d probably offer deals to a few less, personally. Even if it means spending a few years rebuilding in the Championship. We’ll just end up in the same predicament, yet again, if we go up with a spine of Egan, Norwood and McBurnie.