Chris Wilder unveils Sheffield United transfer strategy after crunch COH Sports talks | OneFootball

Chris Wilder has stated that Sheffield United are looking for quality, not quantity, in the upcoming January transfer window

Chris Wilder has outlined where Sheffield United need to improve in the upcoming January transfer window, and believes that the COH Sports ownership group will be "very supportive" in ensuring a good month of transfers.

The Sheffield Star have reported that bolstering right-back and midfield options amid an availability and injury crisis, and adding extra quality to help push further up the table, is what is required at Bramall Lane next month.

The winter window will be an important one for the Blades, as the returning Wilder looks to bring in more personnel who suit his style, following a summer where several players were brought in with no real direction under Ruben Selles.

Sheffield United have been on an upturn in form over the past few weeks. They're now just eight points shy of the top six, and may be even closer when the window opens. Because of this, the Blades boss believes that his side is still an attractive football club to come play for.

Chris Wilder reveals transfer priorities ahead of January window

According to the Sheffield Star, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has stated that the club already have their eyes on "three or four" names to help improve the squad this January, with the key focus being on bettering the current crop, rather than adding bodies for the sake of squad depth.

Key positions include right-back, where Femi Seriki has been manning on his own this season, and in midfield, which has been left light through the summer departure of Vini Souza and the various injuries which have plagued the position since.

"We've talked through it," Wilder said when talking about the transfer strategy with the COH Sport board. "They have been incredibly supportive, and I thank them for that.

"But [the availability crisis in midfield] exposed and highlighted the recommendations that we put forward in January. It's what's best for the football club, because it's always the best for the club and not for me."

The Blades were forced to throw Ollie Arblaster in from the off on Tuesday for his first Championship minutes since November 2024 due to the injuries and illness sustained by Tom Davies and Sydie Peck, and the same may have to be done on Friday night against West Brom.

However, the names brought in won't just be to help bulk the squad out. Wilder believed that the squad was bloated under Selles and would ensure that the players brought in would have a part to play in the second half of the campaign.

"It's not bringing in five, six or seven players. Just a turnover of players that I think can improve us into January and hopefully a progression of what we're trying to do now to make us stronger and better going into the new year," Wilder added.

"I believe they [the board] will be very supportive in January. I'm not putting pressure on anybody. If it is the same, it is the same, and there's a decision taken on that.

"Some of the boys who have come in on loan will return to their parent clubs. I think everybody understands that. So we have to replace them with boys, in my opinion, who are pushing to get into the side and start. I think that's really key because the loan market has been a productive one for us over the years.

"And I've said, consistently, that this is still a very, very attractive football club to come and play football, even if we are in the position that we're in. But I think that the players who will come will help us improve that and move us forward."

Sheffield United fans will be delighted with January transfer plan

A six-game unbeaten run has fired the Blades away from the bottom three, and now some Sheffield United fans have eyes on the top six once more.

It's taken a couple of months for Chris Wilder to sort out his side after a messy summer transfer window, but now the popular manager seemingly knows his best squad when everyone is fit, and therefore will know how to improve it.

The likes of Ben Godfrey and Louie Barry have almost certainly played their final games for the club. Tyler Bindon would have been on that list too, but injuries have forced him back into contention, and Chris Wilder may like enough of what he sees to keep him in the fold in the new year.

And it seems that those who Wilder has in mind to come in and replace the players who haven't had a look in under him since he made his return for a third spell in the Bramall Lane dugout will be put straight into contention to start and improve the side.

Sheffield United will hope that they can put together an impressive run between now and the window opening to move closer to the top six.