Football Season Guide

Sheffield United

In


None

Out


John Lundstram (r) (mid) Rangers; Ethan Ampadu (sp) (def) Chelsea – end of loan; Simon Moore (gk) Coventry; Phil Jagielka (def) released; Jack Rodwell (mid) released; Harry Boyes (def) Solihull Moors – on loan

Sheffield United are back in the Championship after two seasons in the Premier League. Their first year back in the top flight was impressive but last season they were awful. By Christmas they looked odds on for relegation. Long-serving boss Chris Wilder left by mutual consent and they ended up finishing bottom. They equalled the most losses in a Premier League season (29) and the earliest relegation (six games remaining). Slavisa Jokanovic has been appointed as the club’s new permanent manager. He has impressive credentials having previously led successful Championship promotion-winning campaigns at Watford and Fulham. Jokanovic still has the nucleus of the United squad that went up to the Premier League in 2018/19. The only regular starter to depart is Lundstram. Like the Blades as a whole, his form significantly dipped last season. No new additions have yet been made with Jokanovic assessing the players already at the club. At time of writing, Jokanovic has said he believes he is close to adding to his squad. The main issue last season was in attack. They only managed 19 league goals and David McGoldrick scored eight of them. McGoldrick needs some help this season, Billy Sharp hit 23 goals in 2018/19 but he is now 35, Rhian Brewster was brought in for around £23 million last summer but he flopped, failing to score in 27 league appearances (12 starts).

Target


Automatic promotion. Much will depend on if there is a hangover from their disastrous Premier League campaign last season.