Looking after the future.
That’s certainly one way to look at the latest transfer news coming out of Bramall Lane. According to a report from The Sun, Sheffield United are one of a number of clubs that will look to take advantage of the situation at Wigan Athletic by bringing in young forward Kyle Joseph.
The club face a battle with Leicester City and Celtic for the 18-year-old’s services, with the report stating that “in the end the decision will be down to the club that offers the clearest route to the first team.” The question when it comes to the Blades then is just how long he’s prepared to wait for that opportunity to come up.
The Blades to have two veteran forwards amongst the ranks at the moment, with 34-year-old Billy Sharp, 32-year-old David McGoldrick currently rotating amongst the younger Oli McBurnie and Lys Mousset, both 24. However, with both having signed new deals at the club in recent weeks, keeping them at the club until the summer of 2022, they might be around for a little while to come.
And that’s arguably what might be the thing that stops us from being able to bring him in. If you take a look at the two teams we’re set to be competing with in Leicester City and Celtic, the Foxes offer a far easier track to the first team than we do when you take into account the age of the incumbents, whilst we’re probably slightly ahead of Celtic in the same regard.
And whilst age shouldn’t necessarily be a major barrier to the first-team, just look at the players we’ve brought through the academy and gave games to at a young age, when you’ve got an established group of forwards like we have now, it might take a while before they’re in a position to take a step back and let the next generation come through.
What about you? What do you make of these reports surrounding Joseph? Do you think we should make a move for him?