The shock Gus Hamer issue Sheffield United have to handle as new blow confirmed | OneFootball

The Blades will be without their influential playmaker for the next two matches

Sheffield United's season can certainly be split into multiple parts, with the Blades still harbouring ambitions of reaching the play-offs despite the sizeable points difference which must be overcome in the upcoming weeks.

After resurrecting a disastrous six-game period under Ruben Selles which kickstarted the current term, Chris Wilder has got his side back on an upward curve.

The boyhood Blade has just about seen it all at Bramall Lane across three spells in charge, which included an initial three-year run from League One to ninth in the Premier League between 2017 and 2020.

However, it's fair to say that taking the Steel City side from the bottom of the Championship to potential redemption through the play-offs, 12 months after suffering play-off final heartache against Sunderland at Wembley Stadium, would be right up there in terms of Wilder's personal list of achievements.

United certainly have a squad, on paper at least, that is capable of reaching the top six, largely due to the experience across all areas of the pitch, as well as the creative forces in midfield and attacking areas.

All three of those attributes are certainly boasted by the Blades' Dutch-Brazilian ace, Gustavo Hamer, who continues to hold a strong influence when it comes to swinging matches in the favour of Wilder's men.

Although, whilst the 28-year-old's overall numbers this season continue to look impressive on the surface - having hit double-figures once more in terms of assists - the £15m buy of August 2023 from Coventry City and last term's Championship Player of the Season hasn't been without his critics.

And, with United looking to end the season in a strong vein of form, they will have to kickstart such a run without their creator-in-chief, who has an issue which has gone under-the-radar - one that certainly needs to be handled in order for success to be achieved for his side.

Gustavo Hamer's shock discipline record at Sheffield United as Chris Wilder confirms major blow

As previously mentioned, observers of the Championship need no introduction to the flair which Hamer boasts when on the pitch, having been as influential for the Blades as he previously was for the Sky Blues.

Indeed, the midfield ace was one of very few bright sparks during the club's dismal relegation campaign from the Premier League in what was his first season at Bramall Lane, before continuing to flourish last season.

The versatile figure has, yet again, popped up with several decisive and stunning moments under both Selles and Wilder this term, including a strike from the halfway line against Birmingham City in the EFL Cup back in August.

Unsurprisingly, such form and quality has seen Hamer's signature continuously courted by several sides in the Premier League and right across Europe, with Trabzonspor showing a strong interest in the recently-shut winter window.

Whilst Wilder's main priority when it comes to the playmaker is tying him down to a new contract, the 58-year-old's latest revelation that Hamer will miss the upcoming fixtures with Norwich City and Birmingham after his 10th booking of the campaign against West Bromwich Albion showcases there is an issue regarding discipline which needs to be ironed out.

“It's a group that's well-balanced, which is what we tried to do in January. Fill some holes as well, give some competition for places. So, Gus missing, which is disappointing, but the team has won games with Gus in the team and without it (him)," said Wilder.

Since signing for United, Hamer has accumulated 33 yellow cards, 10 of which have come this season, leading to the aforementioned suspension.

So far this term, the Blades have been without his influence in seven league matches, winning three of those against Watford, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, drawing once against Queens Park Rangers and losing to Preston North End, Derby County and Coventry.

Last season, Hamer also missed two matches due to suspension-themed bans, which were the 2-0 success over Stoke in October 2024 and the shock 3-0 defeat to Hull City 14 months ago.

Sheffield United's season could be determined without Gustavo Hamer's involvement

By the time Hamer is set to return to action against Wrexham on March 21st, United's fate could have effectively been sealed in the congested play-off battle depending on how their clashes against the Canaries and Blues play out.

Norwich have been one of the best-performing sides in the division since Philippe Clement's appointment in November, whilst Birmingham are in a similar position to United in the table, with Chris Davies also under pressure after a disappointing run of recent results.

As such, the club's chances of also retaining their prized asset in the summer may also be determined, with it feeling like the best chance of doing so would be a return to the top-flight.