Expensive Sheffield United signing backed to be Bramall Lane hit - "We were wasting him" | OneFootball

Jimmy from Blades Ramble shared his opinion on how ex-Lion Japhet Tanganga has fared in red and white strips so far

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 captain Japhet Tanganga’s £10 million move from Millwall has been vindicated, and there is hope that 'there’s another level he can get to'.

Nearly four months on from completing his big-money switch from the Lions - which has the potential to reach the aforementioned eight-figure amount - there is belief that Tanganga is now more than delivering under Chris Wilder.

Seeing as though the 26-year-old centre-back was reportedly available to Premier League clubs for around £1.2m due to a clause in his Millwall contract before arriving in South Yorkshire, you'd perhaps think that expectations were high for him anyway.

FLW’s Sheffield United Fan Pundit, Jimmy from Blades Ramble, has offered his honest verdict on how Millwall's 2024/25 Player of the Season has fared in red and white strips so far.

Sheffield United are yet to see Japhet Tanganga's "absolute best"

It’s fair to say that Blades are starting to pick themselves up after an obviously terrible start to the season, but Jimmy was keen to highlight the quality the former Tottenham player brought to the United backline straight away.

"I find it very difficult to criticise Japhet Tanganga, you can see the quality that he brings," Jimmy told FLW.

"I wouldn’t say we’ve seen the absolute best of him yet, but it’s very difficult to come into a losing side - which he did - and make a really solid impression."

United had already lost four games in a row by August 28 - the date Tanganga signed - and would go on to lose another three with the ex-Spurs ace in defence until the 1-0 win away at Oxford United.

Jimmy added: “I have to say, when he first signed, he was outstanding compared to a lot of the rest of the team and the way that they were playing at the time.

"It’s kind of levelled out a little bit. We were wasting him as well I would say for a little bit of time at right-back, as we were trying to find our best 11."

Tanganga played the full 90 minutes in that Oxford game at right-back, having been playing in the middle of defence for his first few games at the club. But, the positional confusion that may have hampered some of Tanganga's early impact at Bramall Lane appears to be a thing of the past.

"He’s settled in the centre of defence and he looks a real player for us now," Jimmy stated.

"He’s wearing the captain's armband which speaks of how highly the manager rates him as a player."

"Absolutely delighted" claim on Japhet Tanganga's £10m transfer from Millwall

In truth, it seems as though Wilder himself has similar thoughts on Tanganga's progress at the club himself. In a report from The Yorkshire Post on December 3, the manager pinpointed the return to form of 'natural' right-back Femi Seriki as the key that has allowed the centre-back to perform at his best.

Wilder had also revealed that it was Tanganga's "calmness and maturity" which led to him being named the club's captain, as per The Star, and now it definitely seems like the ex-Lion is repaying that faith so early on.

Jimmy concluded by telling FLW, "So yeah, I’m delighted with the signing, would like to think there’s another level he can get to but absolutely delighted that he’s a Blade."

Ultimately, it’s hard to argue with what Jimmy has said - especially in comparison with the vast majority of players that signed for Blades in the summer.

The recent drubbing of Birmingham City proved to everyone just how good this United team can be, and with Tanganga leading, they have every chance to turn things right around.