Where do Sheffield United need to strengthen if promotion is achieved? | OneFootball

If Sheffield United manage to achieve promotion to the Premier League next season, they will face a daunting challenge with survival far from guaranteed.

After securing promotion in the 2022/23 campaign, the Blades failed to quickly adapt to the top-flight’s demands, and this was mainly down to their poor recruitment in the summer of 2023.

But even with an excellent summer window this time around, the club’s relegation odds will likely see them as one of the favourites to get relegated. Of course, Chris Wilder’s men will need to do get there first, and they’re in a strong position, sitting second in the Championship with a three-point cushion to Burnley, with only a quarter of the season remaining.

Areas to Improve on if Sheffield United Are Promoted

One of the biggest concerns going into next season for Sheffield United would be their defence. Earlier in this campaign, the Blades were outstanding defensively with Harry Souttar and Anel Ahmedhodzic guarding Michael Cooper’s goal, and of course Vinicius Souza protecting the back line as well. But, since the Australian international’s (Souttar) season-ending injury back in December, United have definitely become more susceptible to conceding big chances that lead to goals.

Naturally, if Wilder’s side were to secure promotion, they’d likely look at Leicester City’s Harry Souttar as a potential summer signing. One thing is for certain: they will want a much better defence than what they had in the shocking 2023/24 Premier League term, where they conceded 104 goals.

Another position the Blades would want to strengthen is their midfield. United do have an option-to-buy for January transfer window loan signing Hamza Choudhury, which they may yet activate. While he is very accomplished at Championship level, he has not shown that he can be a good player at Premier League level. Nevertheless, he would provide back-up to Vinicius Souza.

Oliver Arblaster and Sydie Peck are two excellent young midfielders that have showcased their qualities in the first-team over the past eight or nine months. And Tom Davies, despite being in his mid-20’s, is a very experienced Premier League player, with obvious ball-playing and progressive qualities. Adding an experienced and athletic roaming playmaker to this mix would be the way to go.

Sheffield United will hope to keep hold of Gustavo Hamer in the summer after his superb first two seasons at the club. This season he has been playing as an inverted left-winger which has allowed him to drift inside and produce magical assists and strikes from distance. They also have Ben Brereton Diaz on a loan-to-buy from Southampton who can fulfill that role. And with the way he’s started his second loan spell at United, the club may look to sign him permanently.

The right wing is a different story. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has been the star man down that flank for most of the campaign, but he is only on loan from Crystal Palace and it’d take a hefty fee for the Eagles to sell him, you’d suspect, given his potential. So Chris Wilder will definitely have to be shopping in the market for a right-winger in the summer. Preferably one with pace and trickery to replicate Rak-Sakyi’s success this term.

Lastly, every Championship team coming up to the Premier League will have to strengthen their striker room. United have already invested in Tom Cannon this season, and there are talks of extending Rhian Brewster’s contract. Kieffer Moore would be a different option in the top-flight as he is a target man, which seems to be a rarity in today’s game.

Tyrese Campbell has undoubtedly been United’s best forward this season, evident in his goal return (six goals), but also in his overall impact during matches. He has the qualities to be a good player for the Blades in the Premier League, and he can play across multiple positions.

Sheffield United must invest in a proven goalscorer at top level though, if they wish to achieve Premier League survival.