Chris Wilder has provided a timeline of his plans for the January transfer window, as Sheffield United look to strengthen their squad going into the second half of the season.
The Blades endured a disastrous start to the campaign, which saw new boss Ruben Selles sacked and subsequently replaced by the man he replaced just two months prior.
In that time, Wilder has managed to get the best out of the squad and steer them to safety, but they will still be keen to add to the squad in the winter, as they look to close the gap to the play-offs.
We have now been given a time frame by United‘s head coach himself in a recent interview with The Star, which maps out when he expects his side to be busy in the transfer market.
The Steel City club host Oxford United on Sunday, but Wilder has confirmed that no business will take place before the U’s come to town.
Chris Wilder sets out Sheffield United transfer roadmap for January
Despite rejoining the Blades outside the transfer window, Wilder has already been active in the free agent market, signing both Patrick Bamford and Jairo Riedewald on short-term deals until January.
Now, the 57-year-old will have some cash to splash with the window now open, as he looks to keep his side climbing the table after their poor start to the season, and get themselves in and around the play-off picture.
In a recent interview with The Star, Wilder provided a roadmap of when he expects his side to be active in the transfer market, with their clash against Oxford at Bramall Lane acting as the start of their busy spell.
The Sheffield United boss said: “I don’t think anything will happen before Sunday, but the period between that and the Charlton game [on January 17] is going to be a busy period for us.
“Moving players out and bringing players in. It’s good that we’ve got a result, good for potential players that we want to bring in. Because obviously, players that we want to bring in are going to benefit and make us better as a group.
“So maybe potential targets will see our results and the way we’re playing, as well. As always, nearly 30,000 in today, selling out away from home. We’re an attractive clubs for potential players to come and play for.”
Sheffield United will hope Chris Wilder can work his magic in the transfer market
Since his arrival, Sheffield United have taken a significant step forward from where they were at the start of the season, with Wilder bringing stability and familiarity to a squad that desperately lacked both under Selles.
His business in the free agent market with the signings of Bamford and Riedewald has proven to be hugely successful, with the former becoming the club’s main talisman, whilst the latter has slotted seamlessly into the midfield unit.
Now with the ability to spend a bit of cash, United’s owners will be hopeful that Wilder can continue to work his magic with his transfer business, and bring in some players who can continue their push up the Championship table.
With a busy period expected between the Oxford game on January 4th and the Charlton Athletic fixture 13 days later, you can’t help but feel that short period could define a season for the Blades.