What Patrick Bamford said to Joe Rothwell and Kalvin Phillips about joining Sheffield United | OneFootball

Patrick Bamford is a Sheffield United striker influencing former Leeds United players like Kalvin Phillips, Joe Rothwell, and Leo Hjelde.

Joe Rothwell, Kalvin Phillips, and Leo Hjelde all joined Sheffield United on deadline day, linking up with former Leeds United pair Patrick Bamford and Jamie Shackleton.

That trio bolstered Chris Wilder's ranks on transfer deadline day, with the Blades still looking to make a late charge at the play-offs despite sitting all the way back in 15th in the Championship.

Sheffield United have to claw back eight points to crack the top six. It's entirely plausible, especially after the three signings and Ki-Jana Hoever in January.

Of course, their league position is miles off the pace set last season. Sheffield United lost to Sunderland at Wembley having been in the automatic promotion race for much of the campaign with Burnley and Leeds.

They will hope to join, or even trade places with, their Yorkshire rivals by the time May ends, albeit Wembley is likely to be their most viable option from now. Phillips, Rothwell, Hjelde, and co. should help them to continue their improved form.

Leo Hjelde, Joe Rothwell, and Kalvin Phillips explain Patrick Bamford's Sheffield United influence

Upon signing, Rothwell hinted at the influence of Bamford on the move, who has scored seven in 14 matches after failing to register a goal in Leeds' title win last term.

Speaking to SUTV on YouTube, he said: "Obviously, I knew Pat from last year. So spoke to him quite a bit and he spoke nothing but good things about the place.

"And, as I say, it was an easy decision for me once I knew that this was a club that was interested. As I say, really happy it's done now and can't wait to get going."

Phillips spoke during his YouTube interview and added the following about Leeds players: "Yeah, Jamie Shackleton, Leo Hjelde who just signed yesterday.

"So I know him from Leeds as well and, obviously, of course, Patrick. I spoke to him this morning. I just asked how he's getting on and Sheff United happened. So, yeah, I'm here as well."

Hjelde also spoke highly of a few former teammates, stating: "Couple of my mates played there (Bramall Lane) there before. They gave me rave reviews, so that was really good."

On settling in, he added: "Yeah, I know a couple of the Leeds boys. Chieo [Ogbene] I know. So, yeah, it will be good. I've heard a lot about this changing room before. Have some references from my mates as well, so I think I'll fit in quite good."

The amount of Leeds United appearances in the Sheffield United squad

Leeds have three former Sheffield United players in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jayden Bogle, and Ethan Ampadu. But the volume of Leeds appearances in the Sheffield United squad is quite something.

Hjelde made eight appearances for Leeds, Rothwell 39, Shackleton 94, Bamford 205, and Phillips 234. It totals 580 and, between them, they scored 76 Leeds goals (Bamford 60, Phillips 14, Shackleton two) and also notched 45 assists (Bamford 25, Phillips 13, Rothwell four, Shackleton three).

They will all feel comfortable in Yorkshire surroundings and with a number of games, goals, and assists between them in the second tier. They have all experienced promotion as well, with some even securing numerous from the Championship to the Premier League.

In terms of a recruitment strategy, it's a sensible one with lots of upside, given the players should be able to bed in and hit the ground running quickly, which Bamford has proven already. That may well have helped factor in to convincing players like Phillips, for example.