Devastating Sheffield United blow has the potential to really harm Chris Wilder’s promotion quest
Due to their performance, Sheffield United’s chances of an automatic return to the Premier League were dashed during the holiday season.
After losing twice to rivals Burnley and Sunderland and only earning a point at home against West Bromwich Albion, the Blades only managed to win one of their four games from Boxing Day until Saturday.
Their 2-1 triumph over Watford over the weekend was essential to preventing them from falling behind their rivals, and they are still in a commanding lead in the Championship standings.
However, an injury to Harry Souttar in their defeat to the Clarets in the first of these matches could prove to be a more significant blow than the results themselves, with Sheffield United’s Australian centre-back returning to Leicester City.
Souttar’s injury could have a major impact on Sheffield United’s promotion challenge
The 26-year-old is set to be out for the year with an Achilles tendon injury, leaving the Blades without one of their starting centre-backs.
He played 21 games in the Championship for the Yorkshire club and was crucial to ensuring that his side had conceded just 13 times before his season ended early.
Widler appears to have selected Anel Ahmedhodzic and Jack Robinson as his current combination; but, since Robinson has already spent time in the treatment room in 2024–2025, there will be a stronger desire to see him fit.
Souttar was a pillar of Sheffield United’s defence, and in the upcoming months, his teammates, manager, and supporters will all miss him terribly. It will be challenging to replace him because of his physicality and leadership at the back, which are important factors in the success of his now-former squad.
It will have great implications on their chances of promotion, as they do lack depth in that department, and Wilder may have to use the transfer market to find a replacement sooner rather than later.
| Harry Souttar Sheffield United Stats 2024/25 (FotMob) | |
|---|---|
| Appearances (Starts) | 21 (20) |
| Minutes Played | 1767 |
| Goals (Assists) | 0 (0) |
| Pass Accuracy | 85.9% |
| Tackles Won | 12 |
| Duels Won | 106 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 76 |
| Interceptions | 25 |
| Blocks | 1 |
| Recoveries | 51 |
It will take some time for Ahmedhodzic and Robinson to acclimatise to playing together on a regular basis once more, and for custodian Michael Cooper to fully comprehend how the two function together, since the disturbance at the back has already been observed.
After the Blades’ 1-1 draw with West Brom, Wilder expressed his feelings over Souttar’s defeat on BBC Radio Sheffield, saying, “He is absolutely gutted.” He loved it here, and I’m devastated for him. Losing the big guy, who has been amazing, is a huge disappointment.
Sheffield United must learn to cope without him
Although Sheffield United must move on with their season despite the frustrations and sadness surrounding the injury, they demonstrated on Saturday that they still had the quality to defeat some of the top teams in the division.
They are comfortable in the knowledge that they will not play either of these teams again this season, and they are only one point behind league leaders Leeds United. However, losses to Burnley and Sunderland will be disheartening.
The Whites are not unbeatable, and they are struggling as well, especially with goalie Illan Meslier. With less than half of the season left, there is still of time to locate a successor for Souttar on the transfer market.
Wilder and Sheffield United will feel more confident if they defeat Norwich City when the Championship resumes following the FA Cup. It will also demonstrate to their competitors that they are not dependent on Souttar.
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