da pinnacle： Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has provided a fresh update on the future of Billy Sharp, words that suggest the striker will be remaining at Bramall Lane this month.
What’s the word?
da dobrowin： The Blades have only concluded the free transfer of Jack Rodwell in the current window but there was a positive update on the future of John Lundstram on Thursday. The club hopes to trigger their ability to extend the midfielder’s contract into a following year with his initial deal ending in the summer.
However, one man’s future who has been rather more up in the air over the last month is Sharp.
The striker has been linked with a return to Leeds while Sunderland have also been touted with making an unlikely swoop.
Wilder stated earlier this month that he’d make the striker decide his own future, but the Blades boss has confirmed there is now fresh interest in his services.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of a clash with Arsenal, he noted:
“I had another chat with Billy this week and told him about another club that is interested but my stance hasn’t changed. His message to me is that he wants to stay. He’s been upfront with me and I’ve been 100% up front with him.”
Faith in sharp has dwindled
Given Sharp has started just a solitary game all season, it’s perhaps rather surprising that he doesn’t have ambitions of playing regular first-team football.
However, his desire to fight for his place in the side is admirable and it’s exactly the kind of attitude that Wilder has instilled in his players at Bramall Lane.
Sharp played a pivotal part in helping Sheffield United to promotion last term, scoring 23 goals as the Blades finished second in the Championship.
However, a lack of faith was shown in their forward line heading into the current season as Wilder splashed £20m on Oliver McBurnie and also decided to bring in Lys Mousset.
Both players have been imperative in keeping the 33-year-old out of the side. The Frenchman went on a run earlier in the season where he scored five goals in nine matches. Yet, the former Bournemouth man has since failed to find the back of the net in his last eight outings for the Blades.
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As for McBurnie, he’s scored just three times in his last ten games. With that in mind, it would be foolish to rule out Sharp as an option.
Consistent goal scorers are something Wilder has lacked this season, but Sharp proved he knew where the net was last term. Perhaps they ought to consider using him more often.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United are in the market for a player who SILENCED Lionel Messi back in 2018…