"A clear misfire" - Sheffield United criticised for eight-figure transfer outlay | OneFootball

Rhian Brewster joined the Blades from Liverpool in 2020 but has failed to have an impact at the club.

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 have had an up-and-down few years since their first return to the Premier League in 2019.

The Blades have been relegated twice from the top flight since that promotion five years ago, and have made plenty of fantastic on-field decisions to stabilise the club at different points in time.

However, their most recent relegation was clear evidence of mistakes that Sheffield United have made off the pitch in recent times, with the Yorkshire-based club dropping back down to the Championship with just 16 points, while conceding 104 goals in the process.

It was not just the defence that struggled to cope against the top clubs in the country, with the forward-line also failing to find the back of the net on enough occasions to fight against relegation.

One of those to have issues on the goal front was Rhian Brewster, who has not had the easiest ride since joining United in 2020.

Brewester was a very poor signing

Although the 24-year-old had an extremely promising youth career at Liverpool, his move to the Blades four years ago is yet to pay off.

He has scored just five times in 83 appearances, despite playing football in both the Premier League and Championship, and has never, truly, got going in red-and-white.

Football League World's Sheffield United Fan Pundit, Jimmy from Blades Ramble, believes that the signing of Brewster is still the club's biggest regret.

He told FLW: "I don't like to think of regrets because we wouldn't be where we are today if everything didn't fall into place as it did. But, I think the one huge mistake that the club have made along the way is the investment in players that haven't proven to be the value that we thought they might be.

"So, it's very easy to say after the fact but Rhian Brewster has been a clear misfire in the transfer market. We've paid close to £23 million for him and I think he's got five goals in four years, so that would have to go down as a regret on behalf of the club, although he's a smashing lad and everybody wants him to do really well.

"However, looking at it in a cold light of day in the black and white context, that will be a regret on behalf of the club."

Brewster has one season to save his career

At 24, it feels odd to be talking about trying to save a career, but there will not be many takers for the striker if his Sheffield United contract is not renewed before the end of the campaign.

He signed for £23.5 million, a deal that raised eyebrows at the time, and despite several chances, he has never found the back of the net consistently and looks to be a huge waste of money and potential.

However, he has proven in the past that he has the ability to find the back of the net in the Championship, with his half season at Swansea City an indication of his talent.

Brewster scored 10 goals in 20 Championship matches for the Swans, a feat that he has not matched in the years since. If he wishes for his career at Bramall Lane to continue, then he must return to the same form that he found during his time in South Wales, otherwise it could lead to a bitterly disappointing end in Sheffield.