Performance and Areas for Improvement
The Blades finished 20th in the 2023/24 Premier League standings with a mere 16 points, after having bounced back in style last year, with Burnley and Luton Town who were also relegated from the English top flight.
They scored the fewest goals in the Premier League, managed only three wins since last year, and went on to concede the most by any team in Premier League history. Their season has been defined by heavy defeats such as the 8-0 home loss to Newcastle back in September and a 6-0 defeat at home to Arsenal in March.
Following their 5-1 defeat to Newcastle United on April 27, Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League with three games remaining. Paul Heckingbottom who earned the promotion to the top-flight was sacked in December after the Blades lost 11 of their 14 opening games of the season and was already bottom of the table.
Former manager Chris Wilder was brought in for his second stint at the club and helped the team to a League One title and Premier League promotion back in 2019.
Sheffield United were undoubtedly the worst performing team in the Premier League in the last 15 years and they will look to prepare themselves to earn their top-flight status once again this year.
Transfer Strategy
Luckily Sheffield United did not waste money in the transfer market and spent a humble amount of £30 million net compared to Burnley’s £100 million who were also relegated.
This season, Chris Wilder expects to sign 8-10 players on loan and permanent transfers as several players from the squad are expected to depart. The club is in dire need of a strategy this season to earn their promotional status in the Premier League. Club legend Chris Basham called time on his ten-year spell with the Blades following the expiry of his contract.
Last season, they paid a price for their summer recruitment as they focused more on quantity rather than quality.
Now, the South Yorkshire outfit will prepare for another season in the Championship and will also look to build a squad that can fight their way to the English top-flight next season.
Squad Needs & Areas for Improvement
Goalkeeper
Ivo Grbić will be the new first-choice goalkeeper after Wes Foderingham joined West Ham on a free transfer this summer. Adam Davies is the only backup goalkeeper, so Sheffield will be in the market for a third goalkeeper.
Defense
John Egan has left this summer after his six-year spell with the Blades and the squad is now left with only three first-team defenders and will surely need to couple more to ensure they have sufficient cover at the back.
Attack
The Blades couldn’t agree to a deal with Oli McBurnie who has left the club upon the expiry of his contract. They currently have Cameron Archer and Rhian Brewster in their ranks and will surely need to add at least two more to provide competition in the final third.
Bench Depth
Sheffield United will also need to invest in some players who can make an impact off the bench.
Potential Signings & Top Targets
| Sheffield United Transfer Targets | Position | Current Club | Estimated Fee |
| Kieffer Moore | Striker | AFC Bournemouth | £3 million |
| Sam McCallum | Defender | Free Agent | NA |
| Harrison Burrows | Defender | Peterborough United | £4 million |
| Matt Ritchie | Forward | Free Agent | NA |
Kieffer Moore
The 31-year-old striker joined Ipswich Town on loan in the second half of last season and helped them secure Premier League promotion scoring seven goals in 18 appearances. He has only 12 months remaining on his Bournemouth contract and doesn’t look set to extend his deal with The Cherries. The Wales international could be an ideal replacement for Olie McBurnie who left the Blades this summer.
Sam McCallum
The Blades are hoping to sign free agent Sam McCallum and both parties have already reached an agreement. McCallum who played 29 games for Norwich City last season has a wealth of Championship experience under his belt and could be a great addition to the current Sheffield United roster
Harrison Burrows
The Peterborough United defender has only 12 months remaining on his contract and has been heavily linked with a move to Sheffield United this summer. The 22-year-old was the League One Player of the Year, after notching an impressive six goals and 15 assists in League One last season.
Matt Ritchie
The forward has been linked with the Blades following his summer departure from Newcastle United. He made 17 Premier League appearances last campaign and spent eight seasons at St. James’ Park. The club lost a wealth of experience in the summer transfer window and Ritchie’s arrival would bring much-needed experience at the Bramall Lane.
Financial Capabilities
Budget Overview
This season, Sheffield United have offloaded a total of 10 players and raked in a whopping zero pounds. They are reportedly due just under £50 million in parachute payments.
Financial Fair Play (FFP)
Sheffield United have been smart in the transfer windows and have spent £30 million net in the last two transfer windows. But last season, they were docked two points in the Premier League after the club defaulted on a series of payments to other clubs. In the 2023/24 season, Sheffield became the third club in the Premier League to be handed a point deduction and they will start the new Championship season on minus two points.
Strategic Spending
The Blades will continue to try and bring in experienced players to maintain the balance in their team and depend mostly on loan transfers and free agents.
Also Read: Leeds United Summer Transfer Window 2024 Analysis: Strategy, Needs, Areas for Improvement and Financial Capabilities