An option for United could be to send Reda Khadra back to Brighton in January which would allow them to explore the opportunity of signing AZ Alkmaar’s Tijjani Reijnders.
It is well documented that Paul Heckingbottom is not happy with Reda Khadra’s work ethic, and the relationship between the pair was further strained during United’s 1-0 win over Bristol City where the attacker was substituted in the first half “for tactical reasons”.
The club’s scout Paul Mitchell recently attended a game in the Eredivisie between AZ Alkmaar and FC Volendam to watch the promising midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. The 24-year-old is on Sheffield United’s shortlist, according to football insider, and the player certainly did himself no harm with his performance – he scored a goal and was awarded the man-of-the-match.
Would Reijnnders Be A Good Fit For The Blades?
I think he would be a better fit for the current system compared to Reda Khadra. Khadra is an out-and-out winger or an inside forward playing from the left – but United don’t play with a winger system.
Reijnders is stylistically comparable to West Bromwich Albion’s John Swift – more like an advanced playmaker.
Here are his performance metrics:
The midfielder has a high shooting frequency. He creates shooting opportunities for himself and his teammates frequently. Along with this, Reijnders is one of the busier and most accurate passers of the football in the Eredivisie.
A more in-depth look into his passing style:
His tactical and technical ability would be useful in Paul Heckingbottom’s formation, and the Eredivisie is a fast-paced ferocious league so he definitely wouldn’t be out of his depth in the Championship.
Another comparable player to Tajjani Reijnders style is Tommy Doyle, but Reijnders is more accomplished than Doyle is at this stage.
There could be a possibility of United agreeing on a loan-to-buy deal with AZ Alkmaar in January if Reda Khadra returns to Brighton.