Sheffield United might be watching Vini Souza developments closely ahead of May | OneFootball

Vinicius Souza hasn't had the best of times since leaving Sheffield United for Wolfsburg in the summer

It's not exactly proving to be a particularly memorable season for Sheffield United, who look destined to be playing Championship football once again next year, with seven games remaining of this campaign.

Having lost out to Sunderland in the play-off final last year, Sheffield United seemingly didn't know what direction to go in next, having pinned their hopes on promotion to the Premier League.

Chris Wilder was dismissed following the defeat, and Ruben Selles, who had just barely kept Hull City afloat in the second tier, was appointed to take charge of the Blades heading into this campaign.

To say the Spaniard's time at the helm was a disaster would be understating it, as Selles was dismissed after just six games in charge, with Wilder swiftly re-appointed.

By that point, the transfer window had already slammed shut, and Wilder was left with the business that had been conducted under Selles' watch.

The likes of Japhet Tanganga, Mark McGuiness, Danny Ings, and Chiedozie Ogbene all arrived to varying degrees of success, whilst important players such as Kieffer Moore, Anel Ahmedhodzic, and Jack Robinson all left.

However, arguably the biggest loss for the Blades was that of a Brazilian midfield general, who too hasn't exactly had the best of spells since leaving South Yorkshire.

Vinicius Souza is in a relegation battle with Wolfsburg after leaving Sheffield United in a £13m summer deal

Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Souza left Sheffield United this summer in a £13 million switch to Bundesliga side VFL Wolfsburg, linking up with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Jenson Seelt at the club.

Whilst the Blades collected a sizable fee following his departure, it was only actually a £3 million profit on the 26-year-old, who had joined the club two years prior from City Group side Lommel SK for £10 million.

Souza joined the club the same summer they earned promotion back to the top flight under Paul Heckingbottom, and signed alongside the likes of Gustavo Hamer, Auston Trusty, and Cameron Archer.

The Brazilian would go on to make 76 appearances across all competitions in Sheffield, scoring once and assisting twice, with his game more focused on breaking up play and facilitating more creative teammates.

Wolfsburg identified him as a prime target after the Blades missed out on promotion, and sealed his move to Germany this summer, but since then, he has found life at the Volkswagen Arena tough.

Souza has been in and out of the side since his switch, competing for game time in the middle of the park with the likes of Maximilian Arnold, Yannick Gerhardt, Matias Svanberg, and the aforementioned Eriksen.

Despite, on paper, having a side that is more than capable of not only staying up with ease, but fighting for a European place, Wolfsburg find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle with the likes of Heidenheim and St. Pauli, with the very real possibility of relegation dawning upon them.

A mainstay in the top flight ever since 1997, another heartbreak for Souza would be extremely disappointing for the Brazilian, who will hope to gather enough points with Wolfsburg to avoid the drop.

Sheffield United fans will be watching Vinicius Souza's situation with interest

With Sheffield United's season having fizzled out, with the club in no immediate danger of relegation and some way off the play-off picture, fans will have subdued interest in how the rest of the campaign plays out.

With Souza embroiled in a relegation battle once again, as he was during his first season at Sheffield, another heartbreak could be on the horizon for the Brazilian again, having missed out on promotion narrowly last year.

In any instance, the likelihood that Souza returns to the Championship with Sheffield United or another side in the near future is extremely unlikely, with the 26-year-old likely demanding top-flight football moving forward.

Another relegation on his CV will not be ideal, though, should Wolfsburg drop into the second tier, Souza probably won't be short of interest.