'A big fear of mine' - Sheffield United told of Sydie Peck exit risk | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has given his verdict on the future of Sydie Peck ahead of the summer transfer window

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 got back to winning ways against QPR last weekend to keep their hopes of a top six finish this season alive.

The Blades will need an excellent run of form in the final months of the campaign in order to get back into a play-off position, with the gap to sixth place Wrexham still nine points.

The Yorkshire outfit had a dreadful start to the campaign, which included Ruben Selles being dismissed as manager after five defeats in a row in the opening five fixtures.

This led to Chris Wilder’s return just months after he was dismissed in the aftermath of the team’s 2-1 loss to Sunderland in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Sheffield United are seeking a return to the Premier League at the second attempt, but have now left themselves with a lot of ground to cover up in the final 11 games of the term.

Sheffield United’s Sydie Peck exit fear

When asked about the future of Sydie Peck amid this promotion push, FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit claimed that he is very fearful of the impressive midfielder departing in the summer if the club are still in the Championship.

He believes the Blades don’t want to sell, and the player likely doesn’t want to leave, but that every player ultimately has a price — although the price of the midfielder is likely to be very high.

“It’s a big fear of mine, and I think many more Blades,” Jimmy told Football League World.

“Sydie Peck will likely get poached.

“I don’t think the club wants to sell him, and I don’t think the player particularly wants to leave.

“But there’s a price for every player, and he has been fantastic this season.

“He came in last year, thrust into first team action straight out of the youth team, wasn’t expecting to play nearly as many games, but Ollie Arblaster’s injury meant that he did.

“It gave him a real sort of grounding as a first-teamer, and this year it’s been a bit stop-start for him because, under Ruben Selles, I think the way Chris Wilder termed it was ‘hung out to dry,’ and I completely agree.

“The formation he was playing, it made Sydie Peck very vulnerable, and certainly didn’t bring the best out of him.

“But since Chris Wilder’s returned, Sydie Peck’s become one of our best players, I think it’s fair to say.

“And I think it’s more likely that leaves than stays in the summer, and I hate to say that because he’s a brilliant player that I’d love to build a team around.

“But, it’s going to cost you; you want Sydie Peck, it's going to cost you.”

Peck broke into the first team squad last season, cementing himself as a key part of the side by playing in 42 of their 46 fixtures in the regular campaign.

The 21-year-old started all three of their play-off games, including featuring in 89 minutes of the final against Sunderland.

While injuries have hampered him at times this term, he has still started 27 of his 29 appearances so far, contributing four goals and three assists.

Peck also has a contract until the summer of 2028, giving the Blades a strong negotiating position in the upcoming transfer window, if any clubs do come forward with interest.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United are 13th in the table, nine points adrift of the play-off places with 11 fixtures remaining.

Next up for Wilder’s side is a home clash against relegation-threatened West Brom on 7 March in a 3pm kick-off.

Sydie Peck is sure to garner transfer interest this summer

Peck has performed quite well over the last 18 months in the Championship, so it would be no surprise whatsoever if he attracted interest in the transfer market this summer.

Given he is still only 21, he has a lot of potential to continue growing as a player, and he could develop into a Premier League calibre talent.

The difficulty he experienced under Selles shows that he does need to be in the right system to get the best out of him, and Wilder has certainly shown the benefit of getting him in his best form.

With the time remaining on his contract, Sheffield United are also in a position where they could demand a big fee for him, which boosts their chances of being able to hold onto him.