How Nils Zatterstrom really feels about his Sheffield United future and Chris Wilder | OneFootball

Nils Zatterstrom joined Sheffield United last summer but moved to Genoa in the January window

Nils Zatterstrom was one of several signings made by Sheffield United last summer but he was loaned out by the time the January window came around.

The defender reportedly cost €3.3 (£2.8) million to sign from Swedish giants Malmo, joining the Blades following their play-off final loss to Sunderland.

The Yorkshire outfit opted to replace Chris Wilder with Ruben Selles in the dugout, and overhauled the first team squad in what was COH Sports’ first summer since purchasing the Championship side.

But the appointment of the Spaniard proved a disaster, with Wilder returning as manager after just five league games.

Zatterstrom didn’t play a single minute in the league prior to his temporary departure in the winter market.

The defender has played just once for Genoa since arriving in January, with the Italian club reportedly holding an option to buy clause worth €5.5 (£4.7) million.

Nils Zatterstrom blames Chris Wilder return for Sheffield United struggles

Zatterstrom has blamed the change in manager for his lack of game time at Sheffield United, suggesting that he isn’t suited to the different style of play that Wilder brought back to the club.

The Swede has opened the door for staying at Genoa despite his lack of playing time, claiming that he is enjoying his time in Italy, and that he prefers the speed of the game there compared to in England.

“No, the coach who brought me there got fired early on. And the new coach had a different playing style and different players he believed in. So, I was often sitting in the stands there,” said Zatterstrom, via Fotboll Skanalen.

“As it stands now, I’m definitely open to staying in Genoa.

“We’ll see; there are eight matches left, and then the summer transfer window opens.

“But I’m open to it.

“I really enjoy it there. If you compare it to English football, there is much more rhythm in the game in Italy.

“Sometimes you let the opponent have the ball, you just defend areas that are dangerous and when you have the ball yourself, the opponents do the same thing.”

Zatterstrom was one of a glut of new signings in the summer transfer window, with very few of the new arrivals able to make much of an impact in the Sheffield United side this year.

The likes of Mark McGuinness, Japhet Tanganga, Alex Matos, Eije Ukaku, Mihail Polendakov, Danny Ings, Tahith Chong and Ben Mee all joined the club on a permanent basis.

Loan deals were also agreed for Chiedozie Ogbene, Ben Godfrey, Louie Barry and Tyler Bindon were also secured.

But it was the arrivals of Jairo Riedewald and Patrick Bamford after Wilder’s return that have made the most impact.

Sheffield United are now 17th in the Championship table, with the team effectively out of play-off contention.

The Blade are 13 points adrift of sixth place Southampton with only seven fixtures remaining.

Next up for Wilder’s side is a home clash against 14th place Swansea City on 3 April in a 3pm kick-off.

Nils Zatterstrom situation sums up Sheffield United’s disastrous summer

Sheffield United went backwards with their summer business, weakening the squad and replacing the coach with someone less equipped for the role.

Zatterstrom’s comments highlight just how much of a mess their strategy was, as he was signed to play under Selles, and then he was sacked after just five league matches in charge.

Wilder had no use for him, and it’s hard to imagine the defender joining the club at all had he simply remained as head coach after the play-off final.

COH Sports must learn from these mistakes, or else it could be a while before the Blades are back in proper play-off contention again.

The club will be hoping Genoa take on that buy option, as they’ll be stuck with an unwanted player otherwise.