Despite Sheffield United having played in the Premier League for three of the previous five seasons, Chris Wilder will once again need to use his resources wisely as he attempts to reassemble his Blades team this summer. With some “small fees” available for permanent signings, Wilder is currently concentrating on the free agent and loan markets in the midst of uncertainties brought on by a US-led takeover proposal.
Any player joining the Blades this summer will be doing so for footballing reasons rather than financial ones, as United will not be able to blow away any of their rivals in this window. That will put them at a disadvantage in certain transactions, including the one for Alan Browne, the Preston skipper who is receiving a substantial payment to remain at Deepdale.
Although the Blades struggled in the Premier League last season, manager Wilder is adamant that the team is still a desirable destination for players, thus United has other weapons in their inventory when it comes to attracting new players. The possibility of playing at Bramall Lane is one thing, and the coaching staff at United is another. The gifted Irish young player Sam Curtis, who joined United in January, turned down offers from other teams after settling in quickly under head coach Wilder and former Irish international Keith Andrews.
Speaking on The Molloy Twins podcast earlier this month, Curtis remarked, “My mother wasn’t too impressed when I went over to the Luton game on Saint Stephen’s Day [Boxing Day] because she wanted the family around.” “My dad and I took a plane over, met Chris Wilder and Keith Andrews, and I just felt like it was a different place than any other place I’ve been.”
Furthermore, I believe that trusting your instincts is crucial as they are almost always correct. I followed my instincts after sensing that feeling. I had a few weeks to consider my options after returning as I didn’t actually leave until the end of January. I finally decided to go there, and I haven’t turned around since.
There were further clubs. I also had several in-person meetings with other groups, but when we couldn’t get together in person, we communicated via Zoom calls and other means. I was just considering my options, and I’m glad I decided to go to Sheffield in the end since I’ve truly liked my time there so far.
It’s obviously not ideal where we finished in the league, but I believe it also roots you a little. You can witness it at an early age, and experiencing the lowest point can increase your appreciation for the bright points in life.
With his performance for St. Pat’s, Curtis made a name for himself as one of the greatest players to come out of the League of Ireland in recent years, drawing interest from several teams in England and beyond. Towards the conclusion of the season, he earned his Premier League debut as an away second-half substitute against Everton. With George Baldock’s departure, he could push Jayden Bogle for the right wing-back position when the next Championship campaign begins.
“I thought I’d be grand when I moved to England,” Curtis continued. “To be honest, it was difficult, even though I’m not really a homebird and wouldn’t really be in the house.” I was dealing with some family matters as well as I was in England, and returning home was quite difficult. My family found it difficult to visit as well.
It was difficult for me to spend so much time there alone. But after a while, when I was sitting there alone with my thoughts, I asked myself, “Right, what are you here for?” I remind myself that I’m not just here to play football but also to pursue a career for the future. And I believe that after accepting that, I only got started.
I truly feel like myself there at this point. I’m currently on vacation back home, but I imagine that gradually I’ll start to miss my apartment, the guys, and my home in Sheffield. missing daily access to the training area. Thus, this is simply the new normal. When I first went, it was difficult, but now I’m 100 per cent comfortable, 100 per cent settled. And yeah, I’m loving it.”
