"Absolutely pivotal" - Sheffield United sent warning on potential transfer exodus in January | OneFootball

The Blades have enjoyed a good return to the Championship, but will be mindful that selling their aces could leave them vulnerable.

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...

Sheffield United's return to the Championship has been exactly what supporters and Chris Wilder wanted it to be.

Following a fairly successful summer, the Blades had been hoping to immediately off-set their two-point deduction, doing so successfully on the opening night of the season against Preston North End in a 2-0 win.

However, with winter nearing, Wilder and the rest of his backroom staff will be looking ahead to the next transfer window, and ensuring that they can continue to make an imprint on the division.

There has been a lingering issue that has followed the club throughout the last few months, however, as a takeover has not yet been fully confirmed with Tom Page looking for more funding to help complete a deal, as per Alan Nixon.

If this saga stretches on towards January, it could make it a very difficult month for Sheffield United and their supporters.

Sheffield United must keep hold of their aces

The key to the Blades' fabulous start to the season has been their big players turning up in the moments that matter, such as Gustavo Hamer scoring a wonderful free kick against Derby County to win all three points in September, while Ollie Arblaster has already shown his quality in the Championship.

Making sure players like Anel Ahmedhodzic, Arblaster and Hamer stay at Bramall Lane is crucial to ensuring that the team ends the campaign well, and they can be the difference between automatic promotion and the play-offs.

Football League World's Sheffield United Fan Pundit, Jimmy from Blades Ramble, sees keeping the likes of that trio as a priority: "I think we will use our two loans in January, we’ve got two remaining loans and I think we'll use at least one of those on a striker - I'd like to think we would anyway.

"But the main thing that I do want to predict that we'll do in January is that we'll hold on to all of our top stars. I think that is absolutely pivotal to making sure that we have a successful second half of the season, because I think man for man, we are up there with the best 11 in the league and to sell anybody would seriously derail our promotion hopes."

Incomings may be hard to come by so Sheffield United must hold on

If the takeover situation continues to follow the same timeline, then Wilder may have to continue to work with what he has, although he does have the chance to bring in a couple of loans.

However, Hamer alone can win the team points single-handedly, and it is no surprise that Leeds United were so intent on trying to bring him to Elland Road in the summer.

Premier League interest may come in as January gets closer, and it could also be aimed at Ahmedhodzic and Arblaster as well, who were targeted by Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion throughout August, respectively.

Keeping this team together is far more important than forcing any purchases when the money might not be there. The base of Sheffield United's squad is one of the best in the Championship, and although they do lack a bit of depth, selling will only lead to problems.