Chris Wilder faces Sheffield United dilemma - Djibril Soumare could suffer | OneFootball

Sheffield United have six players signed on loan, with EFL rules stating only five can be part of a matchday squad.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Djibril Soumare will face a battle to make the Sheffield United matchday squad after their busy January window means Chris Wilder will have to leave a loan signing out of every game.

The Blades were always expected to be active in the winter window, as Wilder was desperate to reshape the squad after returning to Bramall Lane for a third spell in charge.

To their credit, the board backed the boss, with Ki-Jana Hoever, Leo Hjelde, Kalvin Phillips and Joe Rothwell all joining the club to strengthen the squad.

Sheffield United can only name five loanees in their EFL matchday squad

Of those new arrivals, only Rothwell was a permanent addition, with the midfielder joining for an undisclosed fee from Rangers.

However, adding the three January loanees to the temporary additions of Soumare, Chiedozie Ogbene and Tyler Bindon means the Blades now have six players signed on loan in their squad.

Yet, as per EFL rules, Championship clubs can only name five loanees in their matchday squad, so, providing they are all fit, then one player will have to miss out.

When quizzed by FLW about which individual is unlikely to feature, Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy from the Blades Ramble podcast admitted that he fears for Soumare, as Wilder has seriously strengthened in midfield with Rothwell and Phillips, who will both expect to play.

“I think, in all honesty, Djibril Soumare will be the one to miss out on most occasions. Obviously, our loans are all different positions over the field, so there may be a time when it calls for someone on the bench, and another can drop out if we’re heavy in one position.

“But, we’ve brought in so many central midfielders recently. It actually looks quite unbalanced in that area. Soumare came on the other night against Oxford, and he didn’t play great to be honest, but that was because Phillips and Joe Rothwell weren’t eligible to play. We have Alex Matos further down the pecking order than Soumare, and Tom Davies out injured, so now Phillips and Rothwell are here, I think Soumare will drop down the pecking order.”

Sheffield United have real competition for places

The Blades are very well-stocked for midfield options, with Phillips, Rothwell, Sydie Peck and Ollie Arblaster four excellent options for any team at this level.

Therefore, most would agree that Soumare will struggle to get near the XI, but Wilder will be pleased that there is fierce competition for places, as it will drive standards on a day-to-day basis.

As we know, injuries are likely to play a part as well, and this obviously won’t be an issue for Wilder if a loan player does pick up a knock.

But, if they don’t, the boss is going to have some big decisions to make. Firstly, he will need to decide who to leave out of the squad, and then it will be very interesting to see the best XI that he settles on moving forward.

Yet, as outlined above, it’s a great problem for Wilder to have, and it’s now down to the Sheffield United players to impress in training every day, and then take the chances they are given when the games come around, as they try to keep their positive run going to close the gap on the play-off places.