Sheffield United told to target QPR player if Gus Hamer leaves in worst January scenario | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has given his verdict on whether Blackburn Rovers' Todd Cantwell would be a good replacement for Gustavo Hamer.

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...

It has been a nightmare season so far for Sheffield United in the Championship, but things could get even worse for the Blades if they were to lose star midfielder Gustavo Hamer in January.

After losing to Sunderland in last season's play-off final, Sheffield United made a horror start to the campaign as they lost all of their first five league games under Ruben Selles, resulting in the Spaniard's sacking in September after less than three months in charge.

Just 89 days after his shock summer exit, Chris Wilder made a sensational return to Bramall Lane to replace Selles, but he has not made the impact he would have hoped for so far, and the Blades remain in the relegation zone and are three points from safety ahead of Sunday's Steel City derby against bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

United managed to keep hold of Hamer in the summer despite reported interest from Leeds United, Dutch side PSV Eindhoven and Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, but despite the January transfer window still being over a month away, it has been claimed that the Whites are preparing to reignite their long-standing pursuit of the 28-year-old.

Football Insider reported last month that the Blades are unwilling to consider offers for Hamer in January, but as fears of a possible relegation battle increase, it remains to be seen whether their stance will have changed by the time the winter window opens.

Sheffield United urged to prioritise Ilias Chair as Gustavo Hamer replacement over Todd Cantwell

With the January window looming, there is every chance that Sheffield United may have to find a replacement for Hamer, and according to FBref, Blackburn Rovers captain Todd Cantwell, who has scored three goals and provided one assist in eight games for the Lancashire outfit this season, is the most similar player to the midfielder of those currently plying their trade in the EFL.

When asked for his thoughts about a potential move for Cantwell in January, FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy, from the YouTube channel Blades Ramble, insisted he would welcome the 27-year-old to Bramall Lane as a successor to Hamer, but he urged the club to target Queens Park Rangers playmaker Ilias Chair instead.

"I like Todd Cantwell as a player," Jimmy told FLW.

"He does offer similar traits to Hamer, I don't think they are necessarily similar players, but they do have similar traits.

"There's another player who I think would also fit the mould, and that is Ilias Chair at QPR.

"I think he's a similar player, not quite to the same level, but that's why Gus Hamer is Championship Player of the Year.

"You're not going to get a replacement for less money.

"If we have to sell Gus Hamer or we end up selling him for whatever reason and we're looking for a direct replacement, I would go for Ilias Chair over Todd Cantwell.

"I believe we've got a similar player to Cantwell in Callum O'Hare, so Chair would be my choice.

"But if Wilder wants to bring Todd Cantwell in, I've got absolutely no problem with that at all."

Sheffield United may need to prepare for Gustavo Hamer exit in January

Hamer's future has been the subject of plenty of speculation in each of the last three transfer windows, but Sheffield United could be more vulnerable than ever to losing him in January given their current predicament.

Having scored just one goal and provided one assist in 10 appearances in all competitions so far this season, Hamer has had a much quieter campaign compared to his usual standards, although he has been sidelined since the start of October with a knee injury.

While Hamer may have struggled for form this season, there is no doubt he is a quality player at Championship level, and if the Blades are still languishing near the bottom of the table by the time the January window opens, the midfielder may decide to push for a move.