The Vini Souza issue that is affecting Sheffield United | OneFootball

The Brazilian made 76 appearances across two seasons at Bramall Lane.

The absence of Vini Souza has left a gaping hole in the heart of Sheffield United's midfield that has proven impossible to fill so far.

Blades' disastrous start to the 25/26 Championship season has seen them not pick up a single point from their opening four matches under new manager Ruben Selles.

The Brazilian defensive midfielder moved to Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg for around £13m earlier this summer, having made 76 appearances as a Blade across two seasons at Bramall Lane.

The defensive midfield dilemma at Sheffield United

Last season, with Souza patrolling the middle of the park, the Blades conceded 36 goals in 46 league matches - at an average of 0.8 per game.

It was one of the strongest defensive records in the league, behind Burnley and Leeds United, who let in 16 and 30 goals respectively to be the only two teams better than Chris Wilder's Blades in 46 games.

According to the midfielder's FotMob profile for 24/25, Souza completed 151 recoveries throughout the Championship season, thanks to his incredible work rate and ball-winning ability. The Brazilian also won 73 tackles and 230 duels.

This season tells a different story entirely, so far. United have already conceded seven goals, including four to Bristol City on the opening day that immediately exposed their midfield.

Where once they had a defensive midfielder who could win tackles and break up play, they now have a void that has left the entire system somewhat exposed.

The 26-year-old was more than just a physical powerhouse, though - his ability to carry the ball was seemingly unmatched - as per his 28 successful dribbles. Without this, Blades have a lack of structure in their midfield.

Ruben Selles needs to find a solution to Sheffield United's defensive midfield problem

The Spanish manager's preferred 4-3-3 formation requires a defensive midfielder who can achor the midfield and provide cover for the centre-backs, but there's no denying that his current personnel lack the qualities that made Souza so effective.

Yes, Souza primarily played as part of a midfield two for Sheffield United in a 4-4-2, but the most glaring example of this problem has been Sydie Peck as the lone holding midfielder.

Souza and Peck started the play-off final together in central midfield against Sunderland, and it's clear that the 20-year-old academy graduate is naturally more of a box-to-box midfielder - and the Brazilian did more of the 'dirty work'.

Against Middlesbrough in August, Peck was awarded a yellow card for what was described as an "ankle-breaker" challenge 18 minutes into the game - showing he lacks aspects of the defensive discipline of Souza.

One fan took to social media to social media to describe how the new-look midfield "doesn't work".

Jobi McAnuff says Blades' current midfield is "far too open"

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This imbalance in midfield has had a knock-on effect on other key players, particularly Gus Hamer. The Dutchman, who was the division's Player of the Season in 24/25 after contributing to 18 goals, has been forced to drop deeper into midfield.

Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff summed up United's midfield on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast, saying: "Sydie Peck was left isolated as the lone holding midfielder, with Gus Hamer and Callum O'Hare pushed on, leaving them far too open.

"Against a side with strong midfield control, it was tactical naivety," McAnuff added.

Summer signing Djibril Soumare, on loan from Portuguese outfit Braga, is the only natural defensive midfielder in the squad - yet even he has been benched in favour of more attacking options.

The 22-year-old Senegalese has only played one game for Blades since joining, playing 76 minutes against Swansea City.

Additionally, their skipper, Ollie Arblaster, is going to return at some point. Selles told BBC Radio Sheffield that if everything goes well with his recovery, the "middle of September" is when the 21-year-old is expected to be back with the squad, although there's been a setback since then.

He hasn't played in red and white since suffering an ACL injury in the Steel City derby game against Sheffield Wednesday last November.

Although Arblaster's eventual return will be a huge boost, Selles must work out how to restore the balance in midfield quickly, because it seemingly disappeared after Souza's transfer to Wolfsburg.