Sheffield United’s failure to get promoted came at a cost to the club this summer.
Chris Wilder was sacked by the Blades after they were beaten by Sunderland in the play-off final.
Several of their high-profile players have been linked with moves away but one who has already departed is Vinicius Souza.
Wolfsburg signed Souza for just under £13m after another stellar season in the heart of the midfield at Bramall Lane.
Souza mocked Sheffield Wednesday in a parting gift to supporters but his latest comments will make fans realise just how costly that Championship play-off final defeat was.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing in football and we can never be too sure if Souza would’ve stayed regardless of promotion.
However, according to the 26-year-old himself, promotion to the top flight may have persuaded him to remain in Yorkshire.
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“I was very happy in Sheffield and I’m very grateful,” he told Mundo Deportivo.
“I was very happy there, I had great friends, there were great people, and the team was fantastic. We were always together, even on my days off.
“I enjoyed it a lot, but things change very quickly in football. In two weeks, it changed; I was in Brazil on vacation and I had to come here.”
Sheffield United still haven’t replaced Vini Souza
With Wilder gone and Ruben Selles at the helm, the next step for the Blades is replacing the Souza-shaped hole in the side.
Sheffield United have signed four players so far, none of them central midfielders and although there are the likes of Sydie Peck, Oliver Arblaster and Gustavo Hamer within the squad, replacing someone of that quality is essential.
A data-driven approach towards signings is being utilised by the Blades and this may help them to uncover the next Souza.
With time ticking until the start of the season though, a replacement needs to be brought in quickly.