£20m

[Mouth of the South]

Agree - unfortunately establishing links in those markets takes time and money. I certainly take your point re: Belgium with some good players coming out of it in recent seasons, some already having experience of playing in European competitions..

Ukraine was an unexpected goldmine but we probably missed a lot of the potential benefit in the last 15 months by being in the Champ.

Scandinavia is still worth focus - they have a habit of producing quality players with good attitudes and able to adapt to English leagues relatively quickly.

 

[robbiez666]

Given we have no money and given our manager was unhappy a few months ago but our scouting networks in Europe, I feel the chance of us unearthing gems outside of this continent is vastly unlikely. As been said above, putting extensive scouting networks in place will cost a lot of money (millions and millions) and take a lot of time (several years). We're behind probably every team bar the play-off winners in that respect and many Championship clubs have better networks as well.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

I think the hope the creativity would just come somehow somewhere would be equally as bad as the keeping Berge and llly comment you made earlier

Better balance, more athleticism, and more quality up top would lead to more chance creation than just sticking with Berge and expecting him to excel in a way he barely has in the championship. Signing the right players to provide that is another matter, but we should be able to manage it

And my comment about keeping Ndiaye and Berge was effectively just about Berge. In my view, Ndiaye staying is an absolute must and only a crazy offer should change that. This though does mean accepting losing him for free. In which case I think we should sell Berge now to offset that, and I also happen to think it makes footballing sense

 

[robbiez666]

Not necessarily true. For example Lucas Esquivel i mentioned in future prospects thread we could likely get for even less than we got Anel.

Would he rip the premier league apart? Possibly not. Would he be too good for the championship.. almost certainly.

Caveat is, would he sign for us if we were currently a championship club. Almost definitely not. We have a golden (but limited) opportunity as a premier league club to attract foreign youth for smart money.

I just hope we utilize this opportunity.

The question is how many players like this would sign for a club in our position?

Favourites or second favourites for relegation. Low wages. Not guaranteed football.

I can't imagine the agent/player not wanting a low relegation release clause and no reduction in wages. Or wanting to sign for more than 2 years, which leaves us open to the issues we have now.

The management/recruitment team put a lot of emphasis on character and that's harder to judge for players who play in countries where we have no contacts.

There will be players who will, but it's not straightforward.

 

[LondonBlade89]

Given we have no money and given our manager was unhappy a few months ago but our scouting networks in Europe, I feel the chance of us unearthing gems outside of this continent is vastly unlikely. As been said above, putting extensive scouting networks in place will cost a lot of money (millions and millions) and take a lot of time (several years). We're behind probably every team bar the play-off winners in that respect and many Championship clubs have better networks as well.

I’m sure we‘ll try and find some way of more cheaply hacking the system. Someone with better knowledge of global scouting networks and player databases etc will likely know better in practical terms the difference between paying “millions and millions” (as you say) and a lot less.

 

[robbiez666]

I’m sure we‘ll try and find some way of more cheaply hacking the system. Someone with better knowledge of global scouting networks and player databases etc will likely know better in practical terms the difference between paying “millions and millions” (as you say) and a lot less.

We seem to rely on former players/contacts for much of our scouting. Like Lester with Anel and D'jaffo.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

There could hardly be a less viable strategy for us right now than recruiting young kids from South America

We're skint, yet need to buy half a team to be competitive in the hardest league in the world

Not only would these such players be a massive gamble at a club where, despite the hype, young players only get limited opportunities..... but they'd also be far less likely than others to stick around in the event of relegation

What we need to focus on now is giving ourselves a shot at survival, while building a younger core who will reliably stick around in any circumstances

If this works and we establish ourselves, then maybe we can start thinking about recruiting foreign youth at considerable expense

 

[Brownieblade]

Better balance, more athleticism, and more quality up top would lead to more chance creation than just sticking with Berge and expecting him to excel in a way he barely has in the championship. Signing the right players to provide that is another matter, but we should be able to manage it

And my comment about keeping Ndiaye and Berge was effectively just about Berge. In my view, Ndiaye staying is an absolute must and only a crazy offer should change that. This though does mean accepting losing him for free. In which case I think we should sell Berge now to offset that, and I also happen to think it makes footballing sense

Sorry mate but that’s far easier said than done

Better balance and more athleticism will create more ?? Sorry mate not buying it, it’s a possibility but not much IMO

More quality up front?? How much do you have?? Even spending 15-20 isn’t any guarantee

Illy is out of contract and going soon, you ain’t getting a crazy offer for him unless he has a mental breakdown and decides to sign on for longer, he would be nuts to do it

Yeh I get your opinion but it’s just that, you take Berge out then you really have fuck all else with potential to create bar illy and maybe Bogle If you played him on the wing, and that’s a big if

So to try and address that with a small budget, selling one of the few guys you have who has even shown something and replacing that with a few lads who run around, good luck as you will need it

 

[FTPE]

We seem to rely on former players/contacts for much of our scouting. Like Lester with Anel and D'jaffo.

Should contact Fjortoft then, he knows EVERYONE.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Sorry mate but that’s far easier said than done

Better balance and more athleticism will create more ?? Sorry mate not buying it, it’s a possibility but not much IMO

More quality up front?? How much do you have?? Even spending 15-20 isn’t any guarantee

Illy is out of contract and going soon, you ain’t getting a crazy offer for him unless he has a mental breakdown and decides to sign on for longer, he would be nuts to do it

Yeh I get your opinion but it’s just that, you take Berge out then you really have fuck all else with potential to create bar illy and maybe Bogle If you played him on the wing, and that’s a big if

So to try and address that with a small budget, selling one of the few guys you have who has even shown something and replacing that with a few lads who run around, good luck as you will need it

Not gonna repeat myself anymore after this

Winning the ball more gives you the platform to create more. Athleticism gives you more opportunities on the counter. Better balance lets you attack down both sides. Creativity would come from new signings. New signings wouldn't just be 'lads who run around'

 

[jono_t2000]

There could hardly be a less viable strategy for us right now than recruiting young kids from South America

We're skint, yet need to buy half a team to be competitive in the hardest league in the world

Not only would these such players be a massive gamble at a club where, despite the hype, young players only get limited opportunities..... but they'd also be far less likely than others to stick around in the event of relegation

What we need to focus on now is giving ourselves a shot at survival, while building a younger core who will reliably stick around in any circumstances

If this works and we establish ourselves, then maybe we can start thinking about recruiting foreign youth at considerable expense

Firstly, You can potentially sign a young player from South America for 2-5 mill with the equivalent quality of signing someone from UK or top European leagues for 10-20 mill.

(This won't always be the case tho as more and more UK clubs turn to South America due to the tough European work permit rules)

Secondly alot of players will see Sheffield United as a stepping stone/entry to showcase their ability in England's top league.

In fact I think we have become renowned as a club for young players to come to and be nurtured before moving on to bigger and better things.

So even if they don't stick around, the resell value is a net positive expected value.

Were you by any chance working for Sheffield United when they had the opportunity to sign a young Maradona for peanuts but determined it wasn't worth the risk lol.

 

[PaddysMad]

Only people in that meeting know real budget. Besides that could it have let be leaked to attract interest knowing investors got more.

 

[Brownieblade]

Not gonna repeat myself anymore after this

Winning the ball more gives you the platform to create more. Athleticism gives you more opportunities on the counter. Better balance lets you attack down both sides. Creativity would come from new signings. New signings wouldn't just be 'lads who run around'

And neither am I, teams who succeed year in year out succeed because they have quality as well, just putting random names you might never sign is ok, selling off one of the very few you actually have for peanuts is bizarre

At very least I’m actually trying to be practical here, trying to work with what I know we physically have already

Creativity would come from new signings is just that, something wrote on a forum

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Firstly, You can potentially sign a young player from South America for 2-5 mill with the equivalent quality of signing someone from UK or top European leagues for 10-20 mill.

(This won't always be the case tho as more and more UK clubs turn to South America due to the tough European work permit rules)

Secondly alot of players will see Sheffield United as a stepping stone/entry to showcase their ability in England's top league.

In fact I think we have become renowned as a club for young players to come to and be nurtured before moving on to bigger and better things.

So even if they don't stick around, the resell value is a net positive expected value.

Were you by any chance working for Sheffield United when they had the opportunity to sign a young Maradona for peanuts but determined it wasn't worth the risk lol.

And we, Sheffield United right now, immediately after promotion to the PL and with no sort of scouting network to speak of, are likely to spot and sign the next Maradona ahead of the 100 other clubs who have every reason to stand a better chance of doing so?

Resale value would depend on them getting the PL game time we probably wouldn't give them

Do we even have any coaches who are used to working with South American players?

For now this South American stuff is just fantasy

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

And neither am I, teams who succeed year in year out succeed because they have quality as well, just putting random names you might never sign is ok, selling off one of the very few you actually have for peanuts is bizarre

At very least I’m actually trying to be practical here, trying to work with what I know we physically have already

Creativity would come from new signings is just that, something wrote on a forum

Berge being a creative force in the PL is just something fanciful wrote on a forum

 

[Brownieblade]

Berge being a creative force in the PL is just something fanciful wrote on a forum

But we have seen Berge create in the prem league, we have seen him create in Hecky system, we actually know he can do it, doesn’t mean he will step up and have a great season but we actually have seen it

Now do you want me to randomly name 10 guys from Championship who haven’t played in our system or in the prem and just argue hey stick 4 of them in and we will just create chancers

 

[jono_t2000]

And we, Sheffield United right now, immediately after promotion to the PL and with no sort of scouting network to speak of, are likely to spot and sign the next Maradona ahead of the 100 other clubs who have every reason to stand a better chance of doing so?

Resale value would depend on them getting the PL game time we probably wouldn't give them

Do we even have any coaches who are used to working with South American players?

For now this South American stuff is just fantasy

No but that's not the type of player we're looking for obviously lol.

We're looking for young foreign players who are too good for the championship and the potential to mix it in the PL.

As mentioned previously, Hecky is good at selling us as a stepping stone for young players.

If they happen to stand out in their first season with us as a premier league team then we have the opportunity to sell for a nice profit or keep them if we stay up.

If they don't quite stand out and we get relegated then again Hecky is good at selling the prospect of them staying with us, getting used to the UK lifestyle and style of football and being able to stand out in the championship and giving us a good base for a promotion push.

Worst case scenario we spend low single digit millions on a young foreign prospect even if it doesn't work out.

Surely even you can agree that makes more sense than ala Brewster a UK based prospect with 0 premier league experience and spending 20 mill ..

 

[brownblade]

I know we don't pay much attention to Sheffield Star, but I noticed today they're saying our board of directors have allocated 15% of £135m for transfer budget (or similar wording).

 

[billyblademan]

I know we don't pay much attention to Sheffield Star, but I noticed today they're saying our board of directors have allocated 15% of £135m for transfer budget (or similar wording).

Both this and the £20m is brilliant gamesmanship by the club - they'll be delighted by these headlines.

The majority of us know when entering negotiations not to show the other side your hand. Telling the world we have a budget of £50-60m results in a very different conversation with Man City regarding Doyle.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

No but that's not the type of player we're looking for obviously lol.

We're looking for young foreign players who are too good for the championship and the potential to mix it in the PL.

As mentioned previously, Hecky is good at selling us as a stepping stone for young players.

If they happen to stand out in their first season with us as a premier league team then we have the opportunity to sell for a nice profit or keep them if we stay up.

If they don't quite stand out and we get relegated then again Hecky is good at selling the prospect of them staying with us, getting used to the UK lifestyle and style of football and being able to stand out in the championship and giving us a good base for a promotion push.

Worst case scenario we spend low single digit millions on a young foreign prospect even if it doesn't work out.

Surely even you can agree that makes more sense than ala Brewster a UK based prospect with 0 premier league experience and spending 20 mill ..

Oh yes, "even I" can agree that it makes more sense than repeating the extreme example of the most catastrophic signing in our history

But in reality, with such a small budget, we need to make every spend count. And chances are, any apparent bargain who we, despite everything, manage to beat many other top level European clubs to, will likely spend the season on the bench or in the U23s as it becomes apparent that there was a reason we were able to sign him. That would seem the most likely outcome to me in our current position

Then after relegation they'd take some convincing to stay. More likely they'd rather move abroad. Might be a bit different if we were in fucking London but we're not

 

[Rodley]

Both this and the £20m is brilliant gamesmanship by the club - they'll be delighted by these headlines.

The majority of us know when entering negotiations not to show the other side your hand. Telling the world we have a budget of £50-60m results in a very different conversation with Man City regarding Doyle.

Not sure making it public we’re pretty skint will aid recruitment of players. Not sure it will aid our hand if we’re (unbelievably) considering selling Berge or Ndiaye either.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

If (big If), this story is correct, this will be PAs balancing the books budget.
I would guess if it is, then this will leave the club at net zero. In the scheme of things not the worse situation imo.
Comes back the the yo-yo thread. Is it better to yo-yo and steadily build, debt free over a few seasons?
Obviously opinions will vary, as some people want a new £500m stadium, others prefer to organically grow.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

But we have seen Berge create in the prem league, we have seen him create in Hecky system, we actually know he can do it, doesn’t mean he will step up and have a great season but we actually have seen it

Now do you want me to randomly name 10 guys from Championship who haven’t played in our system or in the prem and just argue hey stick 4 of them in and we will just create chancers

We more than coped without MGW, we can certainly cope without Berge. Very pessimistic to think otherwise, given the array of players now available to us as a PL club, albeit a poor one

 

[Brownieblade]

We more than coped without MGW, we can certainly cope without Berge. Very pessimistic to think otherwise, given the array of players now available to us as a PL club, albeit a poor one

Not saying we can’t cope, if someone comes in with a bid for 20-30 mill and the Prince has set aside a good war chest then fine, maximise the contract

Problem is we have just come out of embargo and we have no idea what we have, any major team rebuild could be done from season 24/25 with full knowledge of budget for next few years with parachute money

 

[Champagneblade]

Mady, from Olympiakos. Last year of contract. We were linked last time in the PL and he remains a perfect fit for RCM and would in my view be a better fit than Berge for next season

We could get Grillitsch as well on a free from Ajax.

Get the January 2020 band back together

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

Just sign any cunt on a loan to buy and the budget can get to fuck.

 

[FTPE]

We more than coped without MGW, we can certainly cope without Berge. Very pessimistic to think otherwise, given the array of players now available to us as a PL club, albeit a poor one

Replaced correctly we could easily survive without Berge.
If would be tough without Anel and pretty much impossible without Ndiaye imo.

 

[TopBoy]

Surely now is the time we should start to see some value in United World. Through this we have relationships with clubs in 6 other countries so have an extended scouting network by default.

 

[ancientblade]

Both this and the £20m is brilliant gamesmanship by the club - they'll be delighted by these headlines.

The majority of us know when entering negotiations not to show the other side your hand. Telling the world we have a budget of £50-60m results in a very different conversation with Man City regarding Doyle.

i think youve nailed it with this post use nixon to leak it how skint we are and hopefully keep other clubs prices low having said that i would think our budget is low were budgeting for if we make a swift return to the championship and becoming much stronger on the pitch and financially off it

 

[FTPE]

Surely now is the time we should start to see some value in United World. Through this we have relationships with clubs in 6 other countries so have an extended scouting network by default.

Good point actually.
I've been worried about our scouting recently, but that does make sense.
Not that it's helped so far.