Sheffield United reuniting with Chris Wilder favourite makes sense - Ruben Selles flopping sets deal up weirdly | OneFootball

Sheffield United have been monitoring a move for Leicester's Harry Souttar in January.

Sheffield United have been monitoring a potential move for Leicester City's Harry Souttar, and the Blades' poor start could help them potentially seal the deal.

It was revealed via The Star, that Sheffield United have been looking to strike a deal come January for Leicester's Harry Souttar, as the centre-back currently looks to recover from an injury to his Achilles.

The Australian enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bramall Lane last season, but was unfortunately cut short after sustaining a long-term injury that has kept him out of action since Boxing Day.

In terms of Souttar's Leicester career up to this point, game-time has come at a premium for the 26-year-old since his arrival in January 2023, having merely made 15 league appearances for the Foxes.

With highly-rated as well as experienced centre-backs already in their ranks, such as Wout Faes, Jannik Vestergaard and Caleb Okoli, Souttar may continue to find it difficult to receive sufficient minutes under Marti Cifuentes.

With a potential move back to the Blades potentially on the cards for the Australian, and this time permanently, the transfer could benefit all parties involved, and is more likely to happen now than ever due to their poor form at the start of this Championship campaign.

Leicester City's Harry Souttar reuniting with Chris Wilder and Sheffield United would make perfect sense

Souttar introduced himself as one of the Championship's up-and-coming centre-backs during his two-and-a-half years with Stoke City, and also made a name for himself on the international stage too, where he impressed for Australia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The 26-year-old's time with the Blades last season was one of the defender's best spells in his career to date, due to the stability he offered to their backline with key attributes like his aerial prowess.

Despite being absent for the second half of the season, his performances played a major role in leading the Blades to the play-off places as they only conceded 10 goals in 21 games when Souttar was on the pitch.

Since Wilder's reintroduction, he has switched between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-2-1 formation. In terms of what would suit Souttar, as a right-sided centre-back, he would be able to slot into either system at ease and form an assured partnership with their summer signing Japhet Tanganga.

The Blades have very versatile options in defensive areas with the likes of Tanganga, as well as Ben Godfrey and Harrison Burrows, which gives Wilder a healthy problem as to team selection.

The potential arrival of Souttar, who mimics similar traits to the existing Ben Mee and Mark McGuinness, would for sure challenge the pair for a starting role.

One thing for certain is that Wilder likes a stern and brute-natured central defender, and the Australian ticks that box.

A move back to Bramall Lane would definitely make sense given his Leicester career has never quite seemed to get going, and the fact that he's now in the prime of his career where game time is essential.

His return would surely be welcomed by Blades fans too after being a reliable defensive figure in South Yorkshire, and United supporters would expect to see more of the same from him if he was to make a return.

Sheffield United could experience a turnaround in form with Harry Souttar's services

It's no secret that the beginning of the 2025/26 Championship season has been a horror show for all involved at Sheffield United.

However, when it comes to striking a deal for the Australian, their poor start could well help their cause.

After experiencing heavy turmoil under the guidance of Ruben Selles, the Blades' top priority is obviously to get back on track by putting up points on the board, but with January set in the sights of Chris Wilder, a deal for Souttar would go down as shrew business regardless of his concerning injury record.

Had the Blades been right up there in terms of league position with Leicester, then an agreement for the Australian could have come with some difficulties, as selling to a rival would have been frowned upon by Foxes fans.

With Souttar looking to get his career back on track, Sheffield United would be a great next destination for him due to his already positive reputation with the Blades faithful as well as his steely defensive nature that could put a stop to the Blades leaking goals at the back which has been so prevalent up to this point.