Potential PL Recruitment Strategies

[Westran]

Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire would be some pretty serious intent, although Maguire seems to have rescued his reputation now and his wages would be astronomical

 

[Nick Jansky]

Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire would be some pretty serious intent, although Maguire seems to have rescued his reputation now and his wages would be astronomical

I can’t see any chance of Maguire. There would be a few well established PL clubs who would pay him much more than we could.

 

[1889]

If we go up, our recruitment strategy is going to be absolutely crucial, it currently all seems a bit ‘back of a fag packet’. I can envisage the Americans projected spend to become an established Premier league team, would be like nothing we’ve ever seen at Bramall Lane. My worry is that if they fail to achieve that objective, boardroom benefactors may become disillusioned with the Sheffield United project, move on and write it off as an impossible dream.

I’d honestly prefer us to win at Wembley, but due to some administrative oversight, the FA impose the unprecedented penalty of keeping us in the Championship. Allowing us the time to complete the new training facility, establish a Cat 1 Academy at Shirecliffe and create a proven, modern recruitment strategy that together with the academy can sustain the club as a successful Premier league fixture for years into the future.

Maybe we could do that whilst yo-yo’ing between the leagues, but I never want to sit through another season like the last one

 

[adamawdhali]

Best chance of survival is by trying to go for PL experience. Difficult thing is that PL experience costs a lot in wages.

 

[The Fox]

IF ! We secure promotion we have to admit that it's highly likely whatever recruitment strategy we employ it'll be a relegation struggle all season .
In my opinion it won't be about attacking flair it'll be about being resolute. Doubt it'll be pretty to watch but if by some chance we did stay up there's plenty of time for pretty football .
For my pennies worth we need the best defence and defensive midfield we can afford, guys who are big enough to grab something from a set piece .
Just hope IF promoted we can stay in games for longer than 70 mins .

 

[MayorOJC]

Regardless of what happens at Wembley, we need to start investing in international scouting and data analysis. Players with PL experience have high wage demands and players in the championship are significantly over-valued. There are Hamer's still playing for PEC Zwolle out there.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Regardless of what happens at Wembley, we need to start investing in international scouting and data analysis. Players with PL experience have high wage demands and players in the championship are significantly over-valued. There are Hamer's still playing for PEC Zwolle out there.

Depending on which division we are in next season, there are currently 6 players at PEC Zwolle worthy of looking at

 

[Balham]

I can’t see any chance of Maguire. There would be a few well established PL clubs who would pay him much more than we could.

Not sure Maguire will go anywhere this summer as he's got a year left on his £190k per week Newton Heath deal. The move to West Ham last summer fell apart because the Hammers wouldn't meet that wage and NHLYR wouldn't subsidise him to move.

If we stay up (and I know it's a big 'if') maybe we would have a chance when he's on a free next summer but it would be the emotional pull rather than the financials that would get him back.

 

[Youngand70]

The way "modern" football has developed I'm afraid doesn't match the good old "Sheffield United Way". As of middle of April in the Premier League minutes played by foreign players was 70.7% of total minutes. Minutes played by foreign players at SUFC was 35.4% of total minutes. That figure would have put us in 20th spot of number of foreign minutes played in the PL. Minutes played by foreign players in the Championship was 56.3% of total minutes.

In the inaugural Premier League season 1992/93 only one "manager" was not from one of the 4 "home countries" that was Joe Kinnear ROI at Wimbledon. This season there is only 4 British "coaches" in the Premier League - Moyes Everton, Potter WHU, McKenna (Born in London) Ipswich and money bags Howe at Newcastle.

19 of the 20 Premier League clubs have a Director of Football/Sporting Director. But oh no that's not the "Sheffield United Way". May last year the "accountant" Bettis was quoted as saying "Sheffield United will not be having a Director of Football", exceptional modern forward thinking. But hey ho we now have the benefit of Bettis as a board member. Considering the 2 point deduction for failing to make transfer payments should the "buck" have stopped at our CEO Bettis, accountant by trade? His elevation to the board could be a decision our American friends may well regret along with "manager" Wilder's extended contract should we reach the Premier League. Who at our club has got extensive experience and knowledge of modern football at the highest level be it in this country or abroad? I don't see any one jumping out at the moment!!! Could it be Jamie Hoyland with a few seasons as a scout at that world beating club Everton?

 

[WayneAllison]

Our big signings have been pretty decent think Souza / Hamer / Berge recently

we would need 5 or 6 of those style signings

Spend 80/100 mill on 5/6 big signings will give us a chance

 

[itsinyerblood]

Myopia exists everywhere, and football's no different.

What once may have seemed like a sound proposition is no longer feasible.
Of course you want good characters, men who'll set an example on and off the pitch,
but for chrissakes spread your net wider than these shores.
Which other club has a policy of UK players only?

We're going have to face up to the fact that the finances are going to be reviewed,
so bigger wages, bigger transfer fees, and a desire to consolidate this club at the top table.
Of course I don't want SUFC to face economic oblivion but I hope there's the type of resolve
in place to accept what's needed to ensure we give a better account of ourselves if we're
promoted.

 

[robbiez666]

The problem is, you go up and you see little of the ball so you have to buy players who can do something on the counter but when you go down you dominate the ball so those players might not be much use.

 

[54yrblade]

Whether we go up or not, we need a DoF, expanded scouting team, get looking abroad and take recruiting to a new level.

Things have to change, however uncomfortable some in the club may feel.

If COH are serious about their investment that is

 

[brownblade]

We need defenders as soon as possible, ESPECIALLY if we get promoted.

I'm fairly content with Souza/Hamza as defensive midfield options. We'd need to pull a real rabbit out of the Data Team to find someone better in our price range.

Arblaster, Peck, Davies are good options for the other CM position (if we play two).

Let's win this playoff final...

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

Stop relying so heavily on loan players. They're good to supplement you but it can work against you too. Wolves benefitted £40mil+ from us having Gibbs-White.

Part of modern football now is doing what Brentford and Brighton do. Scout gems, turn them into Premier League established players and sell them on for significant profits which helps fund future transfer windows.

Ndiaye was about the only player we've had who fit this criteria if it wasn't for the poor handling of his contract.

Too many loan players can leave gaps in your team. Luckily for us recently our main eleven has mainly been our own players. At the start of the season we were very dependent on them, not that I'm begrudging us playing Souttar as he was class.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

I think given the American system in sports with the draft used to find potential future stars, general managers (aka Directors of Football) being in charge of signing players, contracts, trades etc and the coaches just being in charge of training and matches, I'd like to think that our new American owners would want to incorporate more of the same.

I've been saying it ever since our first season in the Premier League under Wilder, this club needs a Director of Football. Our scouting isn't expansive enough and Bettis can't get deals done quick enough, as well as Wilder being poor in the transfer market at Premier League level.

Every summer other teams are signing players on day one, or rumours of a deal emerge and they're done within the week. We hear a rumour and a month later the medical is booked and they miss half the pre-season which then impacts on the season. Even then we seen to focus on one deal at a time.

Wilder and Bettis need to step aside now when it comes to recruitment. We need new people in charge of it all with new ideas.

 

[Need4speed]

I think given the American system in sports with the draft used to find potential future stars, general managers (aka Directors of Football) being in charge of signing players, contracts, trades etc and the coaches just being in charge of training and matches, I'd like to think that our new American owners would want to incorporate more of the same.

I've been saying it ever since our first season in the Premier League under Wilder, this club needs a Director of Football. Our scouting isn't expansive enough and Bettis can't get deals done quick enough, as well as Wilder being poor in the transfer market at Premier League level.

Every summer other teams are signing players on day one, or rumours of a deal emerge and they're done within the week. We hear a rumour and a month later the medical is booked and they miss half the pre-season which then impacts on the season. Even then we seen to focus on one deal at a time.

Wilder and Bettis need to step aside now when it comes to recruitment. We need new people in charge of it all with new ideas.

While I agree with the need for a Director of Football, as much as to give Wilder more time to work with the team, I don't compltely agree with the comments about our slowness in signing players. The issue is the attractiveness of signing for the blades as apposed to other clubs. Yep of course we are attractive to players from lower league clubs but when trying to sign better players we are less attractive then more established Premier League sides. That will be the case again this summer. We can probably match salaries while in the Premier League but the relegation clauses and increased likelihood of relegation make us less attractive. We make an offer for a player and their agent says wait and see what else comes along and the deal drags on. I don't see how we get round this.

 

[WayneAllison]

In the last few years we have signed MGW / Berge / Ndiaye

And very nearly signed Reijdeers who Man City want to sign for £100 mill

The signings where we have soent money we have done well bar brewster IMO

 

[itsinyerblood]

I'll reserve judgement about Souza if we're promoted. It was only two seasons ago that Vini was
disappointing, so finger's crossed and hope he'll turn in more consistency next time around.

 

[Balham]

In the last few years we have signed MGW / Berge / Ndiaye

And very nearly signed Reijdeers who Man City want to sign for £100 mill

The signings where we have soent money we have done well bar brewster IMO

Since we were relegated in 2021 we've had a decent record at signing players whose value has increased with probably only Grbic and Cannon worth less than we paid. The problem last season was that our budget was miniscule and we sold our two best players (one to a relegation rival!!) before a ball had been kicked.

Fee paid signings since relegation in 2021:
2021/22: Adam Davies free
2022/23: Ahmedhodzic £4m
2023/24: Archer £18m (sold for £15m under terms of deal); Hamer £15m; Souza £8m; Trusty £5m (sold for £7m); Traoré £2.5m (sold for £4m); Slimane £1m (sold for £1.5m inc loan fee); Grbic £1.7m
2024/25*: Cannon £7m, Burrows £3m, Cooper £2m, Moore £1m, Cáceres £0.8m, Nwachukwu £0.8m

*almost all these will increase if we get promoted

 

[BlairBlade]

I think as someone has previously said, if Wilder is still involved in recruitment matters he should only be consulted on transfers of £5 million or less. I know initially it was limited to £2 million but I am feeling a little more indulgent as it is not my money and I’ve had a few Guinness.

 

[Frank the tank]

I think given the American system in sports with the draft used to find potential future stars, general managers (aka Directors of Football) being in charge of signing players, contracts, trades etc and the coaches just being in charge of training and matches, I'd like to think that our new American owners would want to incorporate more of the same.

I've been saying it ever since our first season in the Premier League under Wilder, this club needs a Director of Football. Our scouting isn't expansive enough and Bettis can't get deals done quick enough, as well as Wilder being poor in the transfer market at Premier League level.

Every summer other teams are signing players on day one, or rumours of a deal emerge and they're done within the week. We hear a rumour and a month later the medical is booked and they miss half the pre-season which then impacts on the season. Even then we seen to focus on one deal at a time.

Wilder and Bettis need to step aside now when it comes to recruitment. We need new people in charge of it all with new ideas.

We just need more money
The one consideration you've neglected

 

[Houston_Blade]

I think we should try to sign:

Maguire
Walker
Ndiaye
McAtee
Doyle
McBurnie
Henderson
Jordan Slew

If someone hasn’t played for us in the past then we shouldn’t waste our time with them. If they have a Sheffield postcode pay double the fee and double the wages.

 

[Newbury Blade]

Myopia exists everywhere, and football's no different.

What once may have seemed like a sound proposition is no longer feasible.
Of course you want good characters, men who'll set an example on and off the pitch,
but for chrissakes spread your net wider than these shores.
Which other club has a policy of UK players only?

We're going have to face up to the fact that the finances are going to be reviewed,
so bigger wages, bigger transfer fees, and a desire to consolidate this club at the top table.
Of course I don't want SUFC to face economic oblivion but I hope there's the type of resolve
in place to accept what's needed to ensure we give a better account of ourselves if we're
promoted.

Three players we signed in January (two on loan) are internationals with non-UK countries, plus the two young players, which suggests we don’t have “a policy of U.K. players only”.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Three players we signed in January (two on loan) are internationals with non-UK countries, plus the two young players, which suggests we don’t have “a policy of U.K. players only”.

Correct, and long may it continue. Wilder has had to adapt, and whatever the reasons I hope that we've moved on
from what may have seemed appropriate once to an understanding that good players can be found anywhere if only you're
prepared to put your prejudices to one side.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

We just need more money
The one consideration you've neglected

No neglect. More, let's wait and see what the new owners do. With the Prince and Wilder together it was fair to speculate on what was likely to happen. Now we haven't got a clue until the summer, but whatever happens will set expectations or upset expectations going forwards.

 

[Frank the tank]

No neglect. More, let's wait and see what the new owners do. With the Prince and Wilder together it was fair to speculate on what was likely to happen. Now we haven't got a clue until the summer, but whatever happens will set expectations or upset expectations going forwards.

Its easy to be critical of our previous recruitment strategy but it's been good enough to get us 3 seasons. The prem and a possibility of another without a massive outlay

I think bettis and wilder in particular come in for some stick simply for not being foreign but they manage to make a penny stretch enough to make us compete

 

[Drachblade]

If we go up then I'd love to try and get Kyle Walker his experience, pace, defensive abilities etc would be brilliant for us then look at possibly Ben Davies from tottenham although I reckon teams like Fulham or Brentford would be looking at him and if that fails in going for Ben Davies then move for Michael Keane again it's not a flush signing by any means but that prem experience will be vital to us

 

[Sithblade]

Its easy to be critical of our previous recruitment strategy but it's been good enough to get us 3 seasons. The prem and a possibility of another without a massive outlay

I think bettis and wilder in particular come in for some stick simply for not being foreign but they manage to make a penny stretch enough to make us compete

You can't expect a team who'd had six seasons in league one, gets promoted to the Premier League two years later, to be suddenly plucking out cheap ready made Premier League players straight off the bat.

 

[AWetFlannel]

Why spend £20mil on 3 average players on £20k per week each, when you could buy one on £60k per week.

Often because the lad who's worth £60k a week won't join us because he has better offers.

We know we bid for loads of players who went elsewhere due to wages, it wastes resources and time going after players who have no interest in joining us.