Ex Leeds Striker Could Prove Catalyst in Shaping Blades Season

The 2018/19 Championship season is only a few weeks old with Sheffield United taken just three points from a maximum of nine and with ‘time wasting’ Norwich City set to make the long journey from Norfolk to the Steel City, United will need to turn to a striker who can steer them to victory.

The transfer window may be shut but that doesn’t prevent Football League clubs from loaning players until January before completing a permanent deal. Clubs have until the end of August to complete such a transaction before the window shuts entirely and won’t re-open until 1^st January 2019.

Chris Wilder has already dug into the transfer market with midfielder Oliver Norwood (from Brighton) last Monday. There is speculation that another player will join the Bramall Lane club before this weekend’s home fixture with Norwich City. Suggestions are that a striker is likely with a number of players linked. Britt Assombalonga (Middlesbrough) and Charlie Austin (Southampton) to name a select few. Though we have hinted that we would like United to sign Nahki Wells from Burnley.

All seem like a pie in the sky transfer target but in today’s football where the Championship is fast becoming an extension to the Premier League, who knows!

Even if the Blades fail to add to their attacking force they could already have a scoring machine right in front of them. He wasn’t always first choice last season but captain Billy Sharp has fired himself into the record books.

Since re-signing for a third time in 2015 by former boss Nigel Adkins, the striker has netted 67 goals with only Harry Kane netting more. He netted 21 goals in his first season and 30 in his second as the Blades won promotion to the Championship as Champions!

Last season he netted 14 goals despite only starting 28 league games.

The Blades stumbling start began with defeats to Swansea City and Middlesbrough – both difficult sides to beat but Sharp wasn’t in the starting XI. He began in attack at QPR and netted the equalising goal. No doubt he would have taken the penalty which led to Blades winner, had David McGoldrick not replaced him a minute earlier.

He was linked with a move to the MLS earlier in the year and as the transfer window was slightly nudged open a bid from Sunderland was rejected.

Having scored in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw (followed by a penalty shoot-out defeat) to Hull City the skipper has notched twice already this season and will no doubt be firm favourite to start against the Canaries.

He hasn’t always had the fans backing but his statistics prove a lot. With Billy up front United can march on and (hopefully) upwards.

• 2015/16 – 21 goals
• 2016/17 – 30 goals
• 2017/18 – 14 goals
• 2018-19 – 2 goals (so far!)