Sheffield United have been urged by Carlton Palmer to get the takeover situation resolved in time for the January window after revelations of an EFL stumbling block.
According to reports, American investor Steve Rosen has reached an agreement with the Blades’ existing owner, Prince Abdullah, to purchase the Championship team, but nothing has been signed, sealed, or delivered.
Before Rosen can complete his buy and become the latest US-based investor in an English football team, the EFL requires him to guarantee finance for United for the next two seasons, according to Alan Nixon.
To accomplish this, he is thought to be searching for a new investor to join his consortium in order to give the finances needed to satisfy the EFL while also providing a boost for the forthcoming January window.
Carlton Palmer urges Sheffield United to find takeover resolution quickly
The club’s takeover has been a long time in coming. There was hope that it could be completed in the summer, but the previously arranged agreement fell through before Rosen became involved. This limited their ability to sign striker Ricky-Jade Jones from Peterborough United this summer.
Up front may be an area where the Blades want to improve in the coming year, but the takeover must be finalized before then. Palmer, a former EFL and England international midfielder, has told Football League World that the club’s manager, who is hoping to steer them to promotion, will be concerned by the situation’s length.
He stated: “Another twist in the ongoing saga of Steve Rosen potentially purchasing Sheffield United. Apparently, the American is now looking for more financial support to meet the requirements of the English Football League.
“Rosen is thought to have agreed to buy the Blades for £105 million, but the EFL has demanded him to offer financial assurances for the next two seasons.
“While this agreement appeared to be imminent a few weeks ago, another twist in the story has caused it to be delayed, with him hunting for potential sponsors.
“Nothing is easy for United, but I am sure Chris Wilder is concerned. I know Chris just gets on with his job, but he’s level on points with Sunderland, who, as we saw against Sheffield Wednesday, have suffered when Kieffer Moore has been out. He has a good one to eleven, and then he essentially has youngsters on the bench.
“He wants to get out and strengthen. They are in a terrific position, which is why you want to buy the football club: you want to return to the Premier League.
“So, whatever happens, this deal needs to be completed so that Wilder, who, I’m sure, will have already identified parts of the pitch where he wants to bring players in, and those individuals that he wants to bring to the football club during the January transfer window.
“But it’s getting very, very close and a deal needs to be ratified and put in place so Wilder can go and get the reinforcements that he needs to keep this campaign going the way that it is and get promotion.”
Up front should definitely be a target area for Sheffield United in January
The obvious strength of this Blades team is its defense. After 15 games, goalkeeper Michael Cooper has the league’s joint-most clean sheets (9) while conceding the second-fewest goals per game (0.46) and expected goals (xG) conceded (11.8), according to FotMob.
Sheffield United’s 24/25 defensive statistics (championship)
Stat
Figure
Rank
Goals conceded.
7
2nd
Goals conceded per game.
0.46
2nd
Clean sheets.
10
1st
xG conceded.
11.8
2nd
Source: FotMob.
They’ll score points on a regular basis due to their solid nature, but they need to improve their attacking abilities. This season, they’ve actually surpassed their xG, scoring 19 compared to 16.9. So the issue may not be the completion of opportunities, but rather the quality of opportunities that are created.
An xG of 16.9 places them 16th in the Championship in this metric. The only team in the top ten that ranks lower than them is Burnley, with an xG of 14.9.
Fixing this issue could be done in January by adding some stronger chance creators, but only if the money are available to add to the team.
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