Former Sheffield United midfielder Keith Gillespie has exclusively This is Futbol that the Blades can replicate what Norwich have done and bounce straight back next season.
United’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed at the weekend when Newcastle’s win against Tottenham coincided with their loss at Wolves.
Can Sheffield United bounce straight back to the Premier League next season?
Yes
No
It’s been a difficult campaign for the Blades, who collected just two points from their opening 17 Premier League matches and also parted company with legendary manager Chris Wilder last month.
Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the Bramall Lane side, Gillespie believes Sheffield United can do what Norwich did following their relegation this time last season.
Daniel Farke’s men, who kept the majority of their squad, excluding Ben Godfrey and Jamal Lewis, secured an instant return to the Premier League at the weekend, and the ex-Northern Ireland international doesn’t see any reason why the Blades can’t do the same if they keep the nucleus of the team together – a clear message to owner Prince Abdullah.
“Norwich got well-relegated last season and you look at what they’ve done this season,” Gillespie told This is Futbol.
“They’ve walked the league this year. Why can’t Sheffield United do the same? If they keep the majority of the squad together.
“That first season when you get relegated, you want that push because it’s fresh in your mind, Premier League football. When you do get relegated you think ‘I want to be straight back there’ – and Norwich have done that and they should be commended. They’ve stuck by a manager and he’s got them straight back up.”