New year, new faces?
There's no sugar-coating it: there are evident issues throughout the United squad. Who should we move on in January, and who's out there to help the Blades recover from their disastrous start?
Words: Zach Beeden
As Sheffield United’s dismal start to the 2025/26 season has rolled through the term’s early months, it has become apparent that the manager might not be the only change that needs to take place. In comparison to the highs of the 2024/25 campaign, United’s start to this season was (and continues to be) nothing short of catastrophic. After the 3-1 defeat at Coventry, the Blades have become the first second-tier team to lose 11 of their first 14 league games since Wimbledon in 2003/04.
This has led to many people questioning the ability of the playing staff at the club, despite the vast overhaul that was undertaken in the summer prior to the season. Due to this, talks have already begun over what business Sheffield United will do in January to provide stability for the club, alongside the revised goal of league survival.
With a very bulky squad size, Chris Wilder has made it clear that he has intentions to trim. Per transfermarkt.com, the current squad size is 34. This includes numerous academy graduates who will fall into the under-21 category, but the demand for play time still impacts squad morale. So, to kick things off in January, it is only right that in true Sheffield United fashion, we sell before we sign. Here are some possible departures that could take place in January, to free up both squad space and valuable cash.
Departures
Offloading players can free up significant wages, finances and play time. After the mass summer rebuilds of the last two years, many arrivals have reflected the new philosophy of signing younger. To maximise the impact they can bring to the club, either via a profitable sale or through their potential ability, a loan may be best suited for club and player.
Reload the Cannon
Tom Cannon has not lived up to the expectations that arose when he joined from Leicester last January, only scoring once for United in a 2-1 defeat to Burnley. The man’s confidence looks shot, and with a fanbase piling more pressure on him to meet the standards set last year by fellow striker Tyrese Campbell, six months elsewhere might be ideal.
Cannon is certainly a capable Championship striker in the right system, having set the league alight during his loan spells with Stoke and Preston, and he’s only 22 at the time of writing. Whether it’s confidence, form or just the right players around him, a loan to a fellow Championship club until the summer could be the answer to both his and United’s problems. Stoke fans still see Cannon as the talisman they idolised 12 months ago, and with creative wingers in Million Manhoef and Sorba Thomas supplying chances, Cannon could flourish in the system under Mark Robins. Should he rekindle his pre-United form, this would leave his and the club’s situation in a much better position than it is now, offering the option to fit back in at the Blades, or by selling him at a price that is much closer to what United paid.
AI signings
In the past 12 months, United have also used the new AI-driven database to find players that fall under the ESC slots ruling. Jefferson Cáceres has now moved to Dunfermline, but his January deadline day 2025 compatriot, Christian Nwachukwu, is still at United. Having finally seen the football pitches at Shirecliffe for the Academy after a number of setbacks, he is beginning to flourish for the U21s, scoring two in two. When he was fit in pre-season, it was reported that he blew the team out of the park in the bleep test, and that Rubén Sellés thought very highly of him. Rumours then circulated a few weeks later that United were trying to move Nwachukwu on, but that a deal with Deportivo Alavés broke down. If the club want to free up both space and ESC slots, maybe selling him is the right way to go this January, but a loan to a lower league club could still reap some benefits for United.
Ehije Ukaki followed teammate Nwachukwu, also jetting out from Plovdiv to sign for United as the first arrival of the summer. Ukaki joined the club before Wilder was even sacked, meaning that he has watched the club go full circle in the space of three months without making a single league appearance. He is the only ESC signing to play a competitive game for the club though, having played the majority of the EFL Cup first round tie at Birmingham. His performance in that game was underwhelming, and he hasn’t made a matchday squad since. His pre-season performances were better, however, as he scored in the games against Chesterfield and OGC Nice. This might have contributed to his reputation, and could see him approached for a possible loan in January at a lower League One/upper League Two club.
Nils Zätterström is a name that was bandied around a lot during the summer, with the high-potential Swedish international signing from Malmö for a reported £3 million. He is beginning to see U21s action, but if United want to progress the 20-year-old’s development, then loaning him to a club in League One or abroad could be the way to get him to the required level.
Mihail Polendakov, an 18-year-old full back from Bulgaria, was the youngest player brought to Bramall Lane through the AI system. Polendakov has represented Bulgaria at youth level, and has played for United’s U21s. Having represented his country’s youth team and being only 18, it wouldn’t make much sense for United to sell him so soon after buying him, and that’s why a loan would make sense, but he might just remain as a starter for the development sides at Shirecliffe.
Summer ins to Winter outs?
Sheffield United’s summer incomings were fairly disappointing, especially in the loan market. Chiedozie Ogbene has been steady for United as a starter on the right flank, and Djibril Soumaré is beginning to look the part more and more with every game.
However, Ben Godfrey is on a high wage and his performances weren’t reflecting that when he was playing: it would be beneficial to all parties for his loan to be cut short. The same story goes for Louie Barry, who has struggled to see first-team minutes and when he does, he appears to lack both confidence and creativity. Despite flourishing at Stockport in Leagues Two and One, his spell at Hull was disrupted by injury, and he doesn’t appear to be the same player that he was in the lower leagues.
The final loanee that arrived was a man that has followed Rubén Sellés’s career path, Tyler Bindon. Bindon was a key part of Reading’s late playoff push last season, and this is why he was picked up by Nottingham Forest last January. At only 20 years old, his potential reads higher than his current ability, having represented New Zealand 20 times at senior level. Unfortunately for United, his current ability is what matters, and with him only available until the summer, being a bench option behind five other centre-backs doesn’t benefit anyone.
This means that of the loanees signed in the summer, three of the five would return to their parent club.
Gustav-over?
A major talking point throughout summer was the value of 2024/25 Championship Player of the Year, Gustavo Hamer. With rumours circulating of him leaving starting at 5pm on the day of the playoff final defeat, it was unknown whether Hamer would be a United player this season. At 28, United knew it would be hard to keep him, but they also wanted to recover what they spent, valuing him as at least a £20 million player. Hamer is currently ruled out of action with a knee injury, so, along with sub-par performances from him and the team, that value might now have dropped.
With his contract expiring in the summer of 2027, United know that cashing in on him could be the correct move. However, the backlash and consequences from similar situations with Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye might influence this. There will be a figure at which United will sell the Dutchman regardless, but if a realistic and beneficial price is offered to United in January, the decision might be made quickly.
Hamer has recently acquired a new agent, and United could be left without a choice should Hamer have his own intentions. With Gus turning 29 in the summer and only having a single year left on his deal, any fee he commands will be greater in January than July. If a club offers a figure around the £15 million mark, the Blades might be willing to part ways with their star and use the fee to restructure the squad with players Wilder identifies for his own system.
Arrivals
Despite the January focus on departures, United still need to strengthen in some areas to ensure they remain competitive, despite the squad, on paper, having enough to dodge relegation. With three loan spots available in a matchday squad, and reduced wages with the departures of Cannon, Godfrey and Barry, United could craft a bit of smart business.
For me, target areas include a central midfielder who can play on the defensive foot, a right-sided player with defensive capabilities and a striker who offers hold-up play and a physical presence. A winger could be a possibility, but might be dependent on Hamer’s position.
Central midfielder
United are consistently overrun in midfield and lack stability in the centre, so a defensive midfielder who can run about and keep possession is the answer. The Premier League bears great fruit in this regard. Tim Iroegbunam was identified in the summer, but the deal never got over the line. Now that Merlin Röhl is returning from injury, Iroegbunam will likely sit behind Garner, Gueye, Alcaraz, Dewsbury-Hall and Röhl in the Everton pecking order. This is an opportunity for Iroegbunam to get some much-desired game time on loan at a Championship side like United, where he will bring qualities similar to those of Vinícius Souza. Iroegbunam would bring accurate passing and possession retention, along with success in aerial duels and tackles. He excelled on loan at QPR in 2022/23, and with Premier League experience now under his belt, he can only have improved.
A man with vast experience and proven ability at this level is Cameron Brannagan. Brannagan is a product of Liverpool’s academy and has brought midfield consistency to Oxford United. His qualities range from long- and short-pass chance creation to tackling skills and defensive contributions. He also boasts an excellent set-piece taking ability, making his play style similar to that of former Blade Oliver Norwood. The downside of Brannagan is that, at 29, he would have no resale value, and as Oxford’s key man, he would command a high fee for a limited output period.
Another man who has deep experience in both the Championship and Premier League is Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed. Reed was once a key figure in Fulham’s midfield, but has now been replaced by Berge and Serbian international Saša Lukić. Reed has only played for Fulham in the EFL Cup this season and remains a bench option for the Cottagers. He’s a defensive midfielder who wins tackles and a high percentage of his duels, as well as progressing the ball into the attacking third and creating chances. His play style matches that of John Fleck, a player who flourished under Wilder in the system he has reverted to in his third United stint.
Striker
A concern raised among United fans is the durability of the frontmen currently at the club. Danny Ings is in the golden years of his career, and his stamina isn’t the only thing he has lost since his prime. Tyrese Campbell also has issues with his fitness, but his play style also doesn’t complement hold-up play as much as the team needs from him. This is where United could look to bring in a tall, physical striker who can hold the ball up, as well as put the ball in the net.
Southampton have a long list of attacking options, and one man who has struggled since joining is American striker Damion Downs. Costing up to £7 million, he has had minimal impact on Southampton’s season, having only made one start as a back-up to Adam Armstrong, Cameron Archer, Kuryu Matsuki and the now-injured Ross Stewart. Standing at 6ft4, he brings an aerial threat along with a quick pair of legs that terrorised defences last season when at Köln, where he scored 10 times. Southampton may be willing to see Downs leave on loan, and at a club like United, chance creation may benefit a striker of his ability.
If United want to look towards a more proven striker in the English game, the 6ft Colby Bishop of Portsmouth brings a physical presence and goal-scoring ability. Prolific in League One for years before making the step up to the Championship, he’s a handful to deal with, proven in games against Leeds and the Blades last season. Similar to Brannagan, his age brings his resale value down, and this chance to obtain real quality and experience would likely be out of budget.
If United wanted to go a bit more rogue, they could venture to Scotland and attempt to capitalise on the success of Hearts under new stakeholder Tony Bloom. The long-lasting attacking quality of former Beerschot man Lawrence Shankland has been consistently evident in Scotland’s top flight, and he has commanded interest from clubs such as Rangers in the last few months. Shankland’s goalscoring record makes for pretty reading, but he also boasts a creative spark and often makes defensive contributions, too.
Another man from the Jambos is Portuguese striker Cláudio Braga, who has also flourished this season, bringing flair and goals to Tynecastle. His technical ability is shown in his class on the ball, with a high number of dribbles, touches and fouls won.
The two leading goal scorers in Scotland’s top flight would both bring their own individual qualities to United, but would draw a high fee and be unlikely to want to move due to their current success at the top of Scottish football.
Right midfield / full-back
Ogbene has been deployed as a wide midfielder who can bring quality to United in both attack and defence, similar to Sam McCallum and Harrison Burrows on the left. He can’t play 90 minutes every week, however, and Femi Seriki has been sub-par when fit. This creates a gap that needs filling on the right-hand side for both rotation and injury cover.
Looking back on the successes of last season before the playoff final heartbreak, Hamza Choudhury was the shining light of a pretty poor January recruitment haul. The versatile defensive midfielder was utilised by Wilder as a full back, but the ability we saw last season shows he would be fine slotting in a bit further forward. Choudhury has been linked with a return to Bramall Lane, and it is unknown if it would be another loan or a permanent deal, as his game time at Leicester is limited. Choudhury would bring stability on the right that could be used in Ogbene’s absence, as well as in a more defensive set-up or a back four.
Elsewhere in the division, Charlton have taken the league by storm with a style similar to Wilder’s. One player making them tick is James Bree, who has seen success in this division before with Luton and Southampton. Able to play anywhere along the right-hand side, as well as at centre back, Bree is only on loan from Southampton, and United could attempt a deal to hijack the loan for the second half of the season. Bree offers quality at both ends of the pitch, being involved in five goals and helping keep three clean sheets so far this season.
Winger
In the unlikely situation Hamer departs United in January, the void he leaves would need to be filled by some serious quality. A winger who can play inside and complement the style of Callum O’Hare would be a target, and experience would be a valuable quality alongside creative talent.
At the top of League One, Bradford boast a rich attacking frontline possessing quality and potential. The hot prospect who is making his name in League One now, after becoming a starlet in League Two last year, is Bobby Pointon. Pointon has six goal involvements this season, putting him on track to exceed his total of 14 from last season. The 21-year-old can play across the front line, but his left foot strength makes him useful on that wing for his defensive capabilities along with attacking contributions. Pointon would command a high fee, but the qualities he possesses would make him a perfect fit at United. In only his third professional season, he already has 100 senior appearances, giving him rare experience for someone so young. His technical ability is nothing short of special, with high dribble success and a high conversion rate for goalscoring and chance creation.
Another player taking League One apart is currently plying his trade at Bolton Wanderers. Amario Cozier-Duberry, on loan from Brighton, plays on the right for Bolton, but again, his left-footed ability would make him just as beneficial on the other wing. His chance creation ranges from accurate crosses to a target man, speed to beat wing backs, and taking shots that have begun to result in goals. His play style appears similar to that of Manuel Benson, with an ability to cut inside on his left foot, so this could also result in the success on either wing that was found in the Burnley man. Cozier-Duberry also makes defensive recoveries, meaning that, like Hamer, he wins the ball back to create the chances he makes. If United can bat away competition for Cozier-Duberry from other Championship clubs, then he could prove to be a handy loan pickup for the second half of the season.
Thanks, Zach
Amazing research and analysis - you should apply to SUFC's scouting team for a job!
Anyway, from your keyboard to Wilder's ears . . .
Sue.