“Ongoing discussions” about Sheffield United loan departures as Chris Wilder looks for balance
Chris Wilder concedes that “ongoing discussions” about the balance of his Sheffield United squad will result in players departing during this January window. The Blades boss is looking to reshape the options at his disposal but only expects two or three incomings, rather than a “wrecking-ball” approach.
As Wilder looks to balance his squad, focus has inevitably fallen on the left-back position where, when all his options are fit and available, he has six options in Rhys Norrington-Davies, Max Lowe, Yasser Larouci and Luke Thomas, with Ben Osborn and Auston Trusty also able to play that role. But Lowe is injured, picking up an issue in training that will keep him sidelined for a few weeks, and Norrington-Davies only recently returned from a 14-month absence and will be managed carefully in terms of first-team minutes.
Troyes loanee Larouci is also unavailable after being called up to Algeria’s African Cup of Nations squad, further limiting Wilder’s options in that area. There have been speculations that United will try to send loanee Thomas back to Leicester City during this transfer window, but he exercised with United today and appears to be in position to play this weekend in the FA Cup against Gillingham.
“There have been ongoing discussions as well and I’m sure that in that, there’ll be changes as well,” Wilder said in a statement. “The entire squad has been scrutinised. We must strike the proper balance. Rhys is returning, and Max will be absent for a few weeks. So we must cope with those situations and strike the proper balance.
“Having three or four left backs is pointless if we need players in other positions.” So there will be people leaving to balance out the group and make the group appear a little better in that regard.”
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