The Tyrese Campbell concern Sheffield United and Chris Wilder can’t ignore | OneFootball

Tyrese Campbell has lost his goalscoring touch this campaign for Sheffield United

Having starred in Sheffield United’s journey to the EFL Championship play-off final last season, forward Tyrese Campbell has suffered a drop-off in form this campaign, much to the disappointment of Blades fans.

As has been well-documented at this stage, Ruben Selles’ tenure at the helm of Sheffield United went just about as badly as it could have possibly gone.

Fresh off the back of a narrow 2-1 loss in the Championship play-off final to Sunderland, the Blades decided to sack Chris Wilder and replace the Sheffield native with Spanish boss Selles.

However, the former Southampton, Reading, and Hull City boss would lose all six of his games in charge, and would swiftly be replaced by Wilder just months after the 58-year-old had initially been dismissed.

Since his return to the dugout, the Blades have seen a huge upturn in form and performances, propelling them up the standings and into an outside shot of a top six finish this campaign.

Though one big disappointment Wilder will have is the form of forward Tyrese Campbell, who has, as yet, failed to build upon his impressive debut season in South Yorkshire.

Tyrese Campbell has struggled in front of goal for Sheffield United this season

Having spent eight years contracted to Stoke City, where he would score 36 and assist 19 across 164 games in all competitions for the Potters, Campbell would join Sheffield United on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

In his first season at Bramall Lane, Campbell scored 11 and assisted twice in 36 Championship games, including one at home against his former side as well as the opener in the play-off final.

However, in this campaign, Campbell has seen his goalscoring touch fade away, having hit just five goals and two assists in 27 league appearances thus far, with 19 of those being starts.

The former England youth international has had to compete with the likes of Tom Cannon, Patrick Bamford, and Danny Ings for a place in the side, though, in fairness to Campbell, each of those has endured their own struggles in front of goal.

With Wilder having helped his boyhood club climb the table away from danger, he won’t be nearly content just yet, with a place in the top six well within their sights.

If they are to indeed challenge for a place in the play-offs, they will need the likes of Campbell to up their game, especially in front of goal, with their top scorer currently being Callum O’Hare on eight.

Chris Wilder will be targeting a top six finish with Sheffield United this season, regardless of Tyrese Campbell’s struggles

In what is his third separate stint with his boyhood club, Wilder has amassed a positive reputation at Bramall Lane.

The former Oxford United and Middlesbrough boss helped to guide Sheffield United from League One to the Premier League and finish 9th in their first season back in the top flight, and is looking to once again guide them back to where they feel they belong.

A busy deadline day, which saw Leo Hjelde, Kalvin Phillips, and Joe Rothwell all join the club, suggests that Wilder is content with his current attacking options and will be looking for more from them as the season goes on, including Campbell.

The son of the late Kevin Campbell, Tyrese often frustrated during his spell with Stoke, showing flashes of brilliance but usually few and far between, and is seemingly continuing that trend in South Yorkshire.

At 26, Campbell is approaching the peak of his powers, and if Wilder is able to extract the best out of his obviously extraordinary talent, then the Blades will be well-placed to push for one of the top six places come May.