Sheffield United advised to avoid free agent signing - but ex-Ipswich Town star "could be an option" | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has given his verdict on the possibility of a free agent signing

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 struggles this season continued last weekend when they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic.

Chris Wilder made his return to the dugout after being dismissed in the summer, but he was unable to immediately turn around the Blades’ poor form.

The South Yorkshire outfit have lost six games from six in the Championship, leaving them pointless and bottom of the table.

But Sheffield United do have two spaces available in their squad, so could utilise the free agent market in order to help fix their losing form - and it's their midfield that could potentially do with the most work.

With someone like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain still available as well on the market, it could be a tempting move for the club to help their midfield, and another player in the form of ex-Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy is also back on the market after his surprise exit from Kuwait SC - although he wouldn't be able to play for an EFL club until January 2026.

Sheffield United free agent claim made - Chris Wilder's squad is already "bloated"

When asked if the club could look to sign a free agent, FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy, from the Blades Ramble YouTube channel, claimed it’s unlikely.

He believes that Wilder will be more interested in thinning out the first-team even further instead of adding fresh faces to their ranks, due to the top-heavy nature of it.

“It’s clear that something needs to change at United,” Jimmy told Football League World.

“The form has been absolutely shocking.

“There was a hope that Chris Wilder would come in and immediately turn it around, it looks like the rot’s settled in a little bit and it’s going to be a bigger job than a lot of us thought.

“But there are talented players in this squad, and one thing he has said is it’s bloated as a squad as well, so I think it’s unlikely that he will dip into the free agent market.

“Somebody like Sam Morsy does potentially improve us, so that could be an option, now that he’s just left his club.

“But I’d be surprised if we utilise the free agent market because he is actively looking to reduce the squad size, I believe.”

Sheffield United were in contention for promotion under Wilder last season, and reached the play-off final after coming third in the regular league table.

However, the defeat to Sunderland at Wembley left the Blades in the Championship, and it saw the 57-year-old depart by mutual consent.

United's American owners COH Sports brought in Ruben Selles as Wilder's replacement following his own departure from Hull City, but the Spaniard managed just five league games before being dismissed, having lost every single time.

Sheffield United’s desperation could lead to free agent signing

While Wilder may feel there are too many players in the squad at the moment, the club may still feel he needs to find an improvement if results don’t turn around.

The Blades were hoping to be in the fight for promotion again this season, but if they keep losing then they’ll quickly find themselves in a battle against relegation to League One.

That could lead to desperation and a desire to dip into the free agency market, as it’s a long time between now and when the market reopens properly in January.

The defeat to Charlton was certainly eye-opening for Wilder, and highlighted the true size of the task ahead of him upon his return to Bramall Lane.