Sheffield United told to snub Everton move - 'I'd have some big concerns' | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit isn't a big fan of the reports linking the Blades with Nathan Patterson

Sheffield United are in for a crucial summer window, as Chris Wilder looks to put together a squad that betters last season's with a smaller budget.

The Blades are set to begin their first campaign in the second tier without receiving Premier League parachute payments since 2018/19, and that, plus the new SCR financial rules coming in, could effectively see the South Yorkshire side lose £34 million of their spending power, according to the Sheffield Star.

Players will be set to follow those who were released from their deals this summer to trim what was a bloated squad at Bramall Lane last season, meaning those who will replace them, either on loan or permanently, will need to be able to hit the ground running.

History shows that the longer a team stays in the Championship, the more difficult it can be to get out. Therefore, this term needs to be an improved one for Sheffield United, and they have their eyes on Everton's Nathan Patterson to kickstart their window.

The Star reported last week that the 24-year-old Scotsman is still on the Blades' radar, after the club strongly considered bringing him in last January before settling on Wolves' Ki-Jana Hoever.

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Patterson has yet to reach the heights many expected of him after signing for the Toffees in January 2022 from Rangers for £11 million.

Various injuries have seen him play just 67 times for Everton in the four-and-a-half years since the move from the Scottish giants, but this past season, the 24-year-old just hasn't been in David Moyes' plans.

Patterson made just seven Premier League appearances in 2025/26, four of which were cameo bench appearances, and he was an unused substitute 21 times, playing backup to Jake O'Brien, a centre-back by trade.

A move away seems destined for the 24-year-old next season, but given how much he cost Everton back in 2022, Sheffield United won't be in any position to buy him. That, plus the uncertainty surrounding his output, is swaying FLW's Blades fan pundit and host of the Blades Ramble, Jimmy, away from wanting to see him at Bramall Lane.

"I think it's a big risk," he said. "We'd be looking at a potential loan deal, and does he get in ahead of Femi Seriki? I'm not sure.

"Do we use a loan on someone who isn't guaranteed to start or who could be playing backup? Can we rely on him being fit? That's the main thing, and even if he does return to fitness, what type of player would we be getting?

"There are loads of questions around Patterson, and it would be one that I would move on from, personally.

"I don't think he'd be a reliable signing for Sheffield United, and I'd have some big concerns about it."

The Blades wasted quite a few of their loan spots in the summer on the likes of Ben Godfrey and Louie Barry, who played a handful of games at Bramall Lane. Tyler Bindon was set to head back to Nottingham Forest, too, before he broke into the side in December.

With more pressure on climbing into the reformed play-offs next season, the loanees that arrive at Sheffield United need to strike confidence into the fanbase that they'll be able to hit the ground running. In that sense, perhaps Patterson is too much of a risk to take in this summer.

Sheffield United would be better focusing on Femi Seriki's development this season

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As Jimmy alluded to, Patterson's arrival on loan would either be pointless due to the presence of Seriki or could even take time away from the 24-year-old's development after his breakout year last term.

There weren't many positives at Bramall Lane last season, but an injury-free campaign allowed Seriki to make the right-back position his own, scoring his first professional goal in a win over Stoke City and adding five assists throughout the year, too.

There's excitement surrounding the Blades' fanbase over how the 24-year-old can progress next season, and bringing in Patterson to possibly come and take that from him wouldn't be too popular an idea.

The Liverpool Echo have stated that top-flight clubs have registered interest in the once highly-rated full-back, so Sheffield United may already be behind in the pecking order due to their divisional status.