Ben Meakin spent some time sharing his thoughts on what Sheffield United’s plans could be in the upcoming summer transfer window during a recent edition of the ‘Blades Pod’ podcast.
As per Yorkshire Live, Sheffield United are currently experiencing a ‘selection nightmare’ ahead of their next Premier League game against Manchester United, as multiple Blades players are currently struggling with injury issues, while John Egan is suspended and Dean Henderson is also unavailable to play against his parent club in the next league fixture.
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This ‘selection nightmare’ may highlight a lack of quality depth in the Blades’ squad. While the Blades have got the third-largest squad in England’s top flight this term, only 18 players have started more than one Premier League game for Sheffield United this season, one of whom – Muhamed Besic – has now left the club following the expiration of his loan deal. Furthermore, the Blades’ have got the second-lowest-valued squad in England’s top flight for the 2019/20 campaign, according to Transfermarkt.
Meakin discussed the issues within the Blades’ squad during this recent edition of the Blades Pod podcast, where he said that the Blades’ squad “suddenly looks super-thin”.
Meakin then went on to share his thoughts on the Blades’ summer transfer plans, saying: “I think, [there’ll be players] certainly in the Championship and League One – I know that won’t excite people, to be like ‘oh, we’re going to sign some players from League One’ but younger players, who could develop with us, I think that might be the kind of area we’re looking at.”
Would this be a good summer transfer strategy for Sheffield United?YES, I THINK SO
NO, I DON'T THINK SO
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TIF Thoughts…
The Blades currently sit in eighth place in the Premier League table, having only achieved promotion from England’s second tier last season. With that in mind, it may be fair to say that they have performed well this term.
However, considering that they have got the second-lowest squad in terms of value in the Premier League, it may be reasonable to conclude that they don’t have an abundance of quality depth throughout their squad at present and with that in mind, it may be understandable if they do try to add some quality backup players to their ranks this summer.
The current viral outbreak is reportedly set to have a significant impact on football’s transfer market and therefore, it mightn’t come as a surprise if the Blades do target players from England’s second and third tiers this summer, as Meakin suggests, as the total value of players in England’s lower tiers is significantly lower than the value of players in the Premier League.
Whether or not they will be able to find Premier League-quality additions to their squad from those divisions, however, remains to be seen, and while they could save money by shopping in England’s lower tiers in the transfer market, they may struggle to succeed in adding proven quality to their squad.