Sheffield United backed to sign ex-PL star who can help Femi Seriki | OneFootball

Seamus Coleman is training with Sheffield United after leaving Everton this summer, as the Championship side consider a move for the right-back.

Sheffield United are set for a busy summer as Chris Wilder looks to build another team at Bramall Lane that can win promotion.

With the Blades gearing up for a third year in a row outside the top flight, they aren’t in a position to splash serious cash this summer, with Wilder and the recruitment team knowing they will need to wheel and deal.

Romelle Donovan has signed for Sheffield United on loan from Brentford, and you would expect Wilder to be in the market for loans and free agents to bolster his squad.

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Seamus Coleman training with Sheffield United after leaving Everton

And, one out-of-contract player that the Blades are looking at is Seamus Coleman, after the Irishman left Everton this summer, following over 400 appearances for the club.

It was unclear whether Coleman would retire, but the 37-year-old is seemingly ready for another challenge in the game, after it was claimed he is training with the Blades.

That will give Wilder a chance to see the right-back up close, and a short-term deal could suit both Coleman and the club if he does impress.

Yet, there are obvious concerns about the ex-Sligo Rovers man, as not only is he coming to the end of his career, but Coleman has missed a lot of football in recent years through injury, which restricted him to just five Premier League appearances in each of the past two seasons.

So, when asked by FLW about the prospect of signing Coleman, Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy from the Blades Ramble YouTube channel admitted he can see why this potential deal has divided opinion, although he did explain why the leadership qualities of the ex-Everton skipper could help the dressing room.

“I’ve seen some mixed opinions on this, and with a lad who has been contemplating retirement, that was always going to be the case.

“Coleman is 37 now, and he has struggled with injuries, but he is a brilliant professional, a leader, and that is something we’re lacking in our current squad, so I can see the positives.

“We’re also looking to tie Femi Seriki to a long-term deal, and Coleman would be a great mentor for him, and he would be a good backup to provide competition. So, we could guarantee Seriki game time, but we’d have a decent backup option as well.

“So, I can see the logic in it, but we’ll have to wait and see. There are some big pros and some big cons to it.”

Chris Wilder must be trusted to make Seamus Coleman call

As outlined above, there are mixed opinions on this potential deal for obvious reasons, and you can’t really say which stance is right or wrong.

But, that’s why Wilder will have had Coleman training with the team, as it gives him a chance to see how he integrates with the group, and whether he still has enough to offer on the pitch.

Despite his age and lack of football, Coleman proved with Ireland in their World Cup play-off in March that he can still perform on the big occasion, even if the Boys in Green didn’t qualify.

His leadership qualities at Everton have been praised for years, so there’s no doubt Coleman would help the dressing room in that sense, whilst Seriki would also benefit.

So, the potential upside is obvious, even if Coleman has to be managed over 46 games, but Sheffield United may not be in a position where they can spend wages on someone who may not contribute much.

Ultimately, though, Wilder will know what Sheffield United need, and if he thinks Coleman can contribute to what the Blades will hope is a promotion push, then the club should try to get this done.