Sheffield United player that Chris Wilder 'can't rely on' set to leave - 'It's such a shame' | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has given his reaction to the news that midfielder Tom Davies will leave the club this summer.

It is set to be a big summer for Sheffield United after a disappointing season in the Championship.

Sheffield United pulled away from relegation danger after Chris Wilder returned to the club in September to replace Ruben Selles, and while a promotion push looked on the cards at one stage, their momentum has stalled in recent months.

The Blades ended a six-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over sixth-placed Hull City at Bramall Lane on Saturday, but it is no longer mathematically possible for them to reach the play-offs this season, and attention is now turning to the upcoming summer rebuild.

Wilder has already warned his players that there will be "a lot of changes" this summer, and while the season is not yet concluded, he has wasted no time in making decisions on some of his squad, with United announcing on Monday that midfielder Tom Davies will be leaving the club when his contract expires.

Davies joined the Blades in the summer of 2023 following his departure from Everton, but he has made just 36 appearances during an injury-hit three-year spell in South Yorkshire, with only 11 of those coming from the start.

United have gone to great lengths to help Davies overcome his injury problems, including sending him to Germany for treatment on a persistent calf issue in November, but he will be on the hunt for a new club this summer after Wilder decided against offering him a new deal.

Sheffield United regret outlined over Tom Davies as Chris Wilder decision backed

When asked for his reaction to the news of Davies' imminent exit, FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy, from the YouTube channel Blades Ramble, admitted that the Blades are right to cut their losses with the 27-year-old amid his ongoing injury woes, but he insisted that he could be a real asset for any Championship team if he can stay fit.

"We always circle back to a phrase that goes 'the best ability is availability'," Jimmy told FLW.

"I'm confident that Tom Davies gets in any matchday squad in this league, and I'm confident he probably gets into 22 starting XI's if fit and firing.

"But in three years, we've never been able to get him fit and firing for a long period of time.

"We did for a little while last season around Christmas time, and he was really good and really influential in the middle with Sydie Peck, but he can't stay fit.

"It's such a shame because there's a really good footballer there, but you just can't rely on him to stay fit.

"At the moment, for us, certainly with no longer being a parachute side, it would be a luxury to carry a player that you can't guarantee will be available.

"We all really feel for Tom because he's such a talented player, and he's only 27 as well.

"If somebody can keep him fit, they've got a real player on their hands, but it's easier said than done, unfortunately."

Tom Davies news is the first sign of Chris Wilder's Sheffield United overhaul

There is no doubt that Davies is a quality player at Championship level, but having been plagued by injuries throughout his time at Bramall Lane, it is little surprise that Sheffield United have decided to part ways with the midfielder.

With their parachute payments ending this summer, the Blades cannot afford to pay Davies' estimated £30,000-a-week wages if they are not going to get a return on that investment, and Wilder has made it clear that there will be no room for sentiment when making big calls on his squad.

Davies is unlikely to be the last high-profile departure at Bramall Lane over the coming weeks as Wilder prepares to swing the axe, and there are a number of other United players who may be fearing for their futures after an underwhelming season.