We’ve had this conversation before. You ignored what I said last time, so you’ll probably do so again, but Wilder was clearly centrally involved in the Cannon signing and had wanted him for quite some time, regardless of and long before AI or COH Sports.
Here’s the evidence, as still available on the club website:
Wilder says Cannon is someone he's tracked for a while and is a signing which ticked all the boxes with everyone involved in the process.
Wilder said: "It's a super signing for us. Somebody we have tracked for a long time and known about for a long time. He's a young hungry player, position specific, we needed someone who could play on the shoulder and stretch the game, which he does. As soon as we talked about our enthusiasm to get this done, speaking to the boy, he knows what we're all about, and he played here for Stoke earlier in the season. He knows the club are ambitious and I thank the board and the co-chairmen for the backing and support, not just with this signing, but the whole process of what we've been going through and how they've wanted to support me during the window. We're all on the same page with this signing. Great age, we believe he'll play a big part and hopefully a successful second part of this season and beyond as well."
Cannon has shown great pedigree already in the infancy of his career, with Wilder stating there's plenty more to come as he looks to further develop another talented young player.
He added: "It's not just a signing for now, it is one which can take us forward in the ambitions which we have.
"He's an English number nine that stretches the game. I think there's always talk about players wanting to come to feet, he wants to run down the side. Pace and physicality and directness in his play, we know what a good finisher he is as well. There's development in the player, we are coaches - and I'm a manager - who tries to improve players as well, so there has to be that acceptance from the player to be better as well, which, after speaking to him, he's ambitious too. He can hopefully realise all his ambitions here with us and for me it is a really good signing."
Blades boss Chris Wilder believes new signing Tom Cannon has all the attributes to be a big hit at Bramall Lane.
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