Fresh claim made on Louie Barry situation at Sheffield United - 'I don't think he took his chance' | OneFootball

Louie Barry could be in line for a potential recall from Sheffield United, having struggled in his loan spell with the Blades

Louie Barry's start to life on loan with Sheffield United certainly has not gone to plan, having struggled to make an impact since his switch from Aston Villa this summer.

Having started Sheffield United's opening five league games of the season, Barry has made just one start since and has yet to prove himself at Championship level.

The former West Brom and Barcelona youth sensation lit up League One with Stockport County in the 2023/24 season, and then the first half of the 2024/25 campaign, before being recalled by Villa and sent back out on loan to the Championship with Hull City.

Barry started 22 out of 23 games for Stockport in the first half of last campaign, up until January, netting 15 times and grabbing three assists in the third tier, which culminated in his parent club Villa sending him to play at a higher level with Hull.

However, after four games, the 22-year-old injured his knee cartilage and would spend the rest of the season on the sidelines, and would join Sheffield United this summer, largely influenced by former manager Ruben Selles.

Selles had brought Barry to Hull, and following Chris Wilder's dismissal over the summer, the Spaniard was appointed as Blades boss and brought Barry in on loan, but he would last just six games in charge, losing each one of them before Wilder returned once again.

Barry has started just one league game under Wilder since his return, having fallen out of favour under the Englishman, and is yet to register a goal contribution this season in a struggling Blades side.

With his game time limited and minimal impact being made whenever he does get minutes, a January recall could once again be on the cards for Barry.

Louie Barry could be in line for a January recall from Sheffield United, having struggled to make an impact at Bramall Lane

Football League World's Sheffield United pundit, Jimmy, has shared his views on whether Louie Barry is in line for a recall to parent club Aston Villa this January, given his struggles to make an impact on loan with the Blades.

Jimmy said, "It's not quite worked yet for Louie Barry, unfortunately. There is time to change that. Chris Wilder keeps alluding to that. He started him against Watford. Personally, I don't think he took his chance, but does he need a run of games in the team to get up to match fitness?

"With the game coming as thick and fast as they are, we're going to need the squad to really step up, and it's not just those that are usual starters, it will be a case of some of these players that haven't necessarily had a chance in the team will get minutes, and can they utilise those minutes to show their worth to the manager?

"He has already made up his mind on a few, but as I say, he has left the door open for them to change his mind, so maybe Louie Barry is one of those on the list at the moment to go back, but who's to say a good couple of months couldn't change Chris Wilder's mind on that."

Louie Barry must impress Chris Wilder at Sheffield United if a January recall is to be avoided

Having been handed just one start, two short substitute appearances and being left on the bench three times, Barry has not had a fair chance to impress Wilder just yet since the 58-year-old returned to the dugout at Bramall Lane.

Barry was handed a start in the Blades' 1-0 home victory over Watford, but was withdrawn after 56 minutes for Andre Brooks, and they would go on to score just three minutes later via Callum O'Hare, with Brooks getting the assist in the game's only goal.

The 22-year-old remained an unused substitute in Tuesday's win against Blackburn, but with the plethora of games coming up, he will almost certainly get another chance to make an impact.

The Blades travel to Preston North End on Friday night and will be hoping to record a third win on the bounce as they look to put behind them what was a disastrous start to the campaign.

Barry absolutely possesses the ability to succeed at Championship level, and maybe a consistent run in the side will help him get used to the system and the side, at which point, a final decision can be made whether to send him back from his loan or not.