Ipswich star can give Sheffield United what they are 'desperately missing' | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit wants to see his side sign Jack Clarke this summer

Sheffield United need a new creative outlet after Gustavo Hamer departed the club for Coventry City, three years after making the initial switch from the CBS Arena to the Blades.

Hamer won the 2024/25 Championship Player of the Season and followed that up with a 17-goal contribution campaign last year in a struggling Sheffield United side.

Evidently, his ability to create something out of nothing will be missed, and that was emphasised with the Blades recording just three shots and registering 0.29 expected goals at home against Birmingham City on Saturday.

Chris Wilder has spoken about how the loan market could be the right way to replace Hamer this summer, and how Championship experience isn't as vital towards the top end of the pitch as it is in defence.

Anis Mehmeti could be a viable Gustavo Hamer replacement for Sheffield United

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However, if Sheffield United could bring in a seasoned Championship creative midfielder on loan, that would be ideal, and Anis Mehmeti easily ticks those boxes.

The Ipswich Town man scored 12 times for Bristol City to help them reach the play-offs in the 2024/25 campaign, and followed that up by netting eight and assisting six to open last season at Ashton Gate.

His contract situation meant that the Robins were forced into a sale in January to avoid losing him for free in the summer, and Ipswich reinforced their promotion credentials by signing him for £3 million. At Portman Road, though, he didn't have as big an impact as many hoped.

Just two goals and two assists in 18 games didn't give much confidence that the Albanian can deal with the step-up into the Premier League, and with numerous attacking arrivals at the club this summer, Gary O'Neil may deem the 25-year-old surplus to requirements.

If he does, Sheffield United could be a perfect side for Mehmeti to prove his top-flight worth, fitting the wide creative midfielder mould that Hamer excelled in last season.

Sheffield United fan pundit not excited over Anis Mehmeti possibility — would rather bring Jack Clarke

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However, when asked about the possibility of bringing in Mehmeti this summer, FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit and host of the Blades Ramble, Jimmy, would rather bring fellow Tractor Boy Jack Clarke to Bramall Lane.

The Blades have been pursuing Clarke for several months now, having initially, rather surprisingly, registered interest in January, and then reviving that interest back in May, just days after the end of the season.

The 25-year-old netted 16 times last season for Ipswich, but only started 23 games, with Jaden Philogene ahead of him in the pecking order at Portman Road.

"Anis Mehmeti would be decent," Jimmy said. "But it wouldn't really excite me, if I'm honest. He's a good player, signed for £3 million as he was in the final year of his contract.

"I wouldn't be upset if he came to Sheffield United, but I've firmly got my eyes on another Ipswich man, and that's Clarke. I think he'd provide us with width and the creative spark that we are desperately missing.

"Not that Mehmeti wouldn't be able to provide part of that, but Clarke is a player who we haven't got, and I'd be excited to see him in a red and white striped shirt going forward, rather than Mehmeti, to be honest. Clarke would be my shout."

Sheffield United will find it difficult to sign Jack Clarke this summer

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There's little doubting Clarke's quality at Championship level. The 25-year-old has multiple 15+ goal campaigns in the second tier as a winger, and his impact off the bench at Ipswich last season showed that he's worthy of being a regular starter.

Unfortunately for the Blades, though, there's a chance that Clarke will become first-choice off the left for Ipswich in the Premier League this year, with rumours that Philogene may be ready to leave Portman Road this summer.

Additionally, if the winger were to leave Ipswich this summer, it would likely be a permanent deal, given that he'd be better off staying as a back-up, rather than being loaned out for the campaign.

Blades boss Chris Wilder has stated that replacing Hamer permanently requires a "£10m plus [player] and we're not in that position," so unless Ipswich are content with letting one of their star players from last season leave on loan, it seems an uphill battle for Sheffield United to sign him.