Pilley-Blade
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- Jan 29, 2018
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After watching a meltdown on a FB group about whether Hamer was the best player at the lane over the last ten years, I asked AI to list the top ten players over the last decade. Obviously the parameters of what it thinks a 'top player' is may differ to peoples own interpretation of a what makes a good player. But I thought it would make a good discussion on an odd week.
...and hopefully with less fallout.
AI said:
If we take “last ten years” as roughly 2016–2026, and judge it on performance for Sheffield United, importance to the team, longevity, promotions and memorable moments, my top 10 would be:
The controversial one is probably Ndiaye. In terms of ability, I'd have him comfortably in the top 10—possibly top five. I've marked him down because we're ranking contribution across the whole decade rather than simply asking who the best footballers were.
If we ranked pure ability at their Sheffield United peak, I'd probably go Ndiaye, Berge, Gibbs-White and Fleck much higher.
...and hopefully with less fallout.
AI said:
If we take “last ten years” as roughly 2016–2026, and judge it on performance for Sheffield United, importance to the team, longevity, promotions and memorable moments, my top 10 would be:
- Billy Sharp – The obvious No.1 for me. Captain, prolific goalscorer and the face of the Wilder-era revival. Central to the 2016/17 League One title and 2018/19 Premier League promotion.
- John Fleck – At his peak, arguably the best all-round footballer of that first Wilder side. Outstanding in the Championship and then carried that form into the Premier League. He won United's Player of the Year during the promotion-era rise.
- Chris Basham – Not necessarily the most gifted, but perhaps the player who best symbolises the era. Huge longevity, completely bought into the overlapping-centre-back system and performed remarkably well in the Premier League.
- Jack O'Connell – At his best, absolutely outstanding. His injury arguably changed the trajectory of the 2020/21 season. The left-sided overlapping centre-back role worked so well partly because O'Connell was almost uniquely suited to it.
- Oliver Norwood – Three Sheffield United promotions to the Premier League is some résumé. His passing and ability to control Championship matches have been enormously important across several different United sides.
- Dean Henderson – Only at Bramall Lane for two seasons, but they were two exceptional seasons. Helped United win promotion in 2018/19 and was superb during the remarkable 2019/20 Premier League campaign. He won United's Young Player award in both 2019 and 2020.
- David McGoldrick – Technically one of the best Sheffield United players of the period. Intelligent, creative and much more important than his goal statistics sometimes suggested. He subsequently won the club's main Player of the Year award.
- George Baldock – A massive part of the identity of the Wilder team. Aggressive, athletic, committed and exceptionally effective as the right wing-back during United's rise from the Championship into the Premier League.
- Sander Berge – Probably the most naturally gifted permanent Sheffield United player of the decade. His United career coincided with some difficult seasons, which perhaps stops him ranking higher, but technically and physically he was Premier League quality.
- Morgan Gibbs-White – Only one season, which counts against him, but his 2021/22 individual season was exceptional: 11 goals in 35 appearances and both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year honours.
The controversial one is probably Ndiaye. In terms of ability, I'd have him comfortably in the top 10—possibly top five. I've marked him down because we're ranking contribution across the whole decade rather than simply asking who the best footballers were.
If we ranked pure ability at their Sheffield United peak, I'd probably go Ndiaye, Berge, Gibbs-White and Fleck much higher.
