Capturing the spirit of the club in more ways than one, a sidelined Tom Davies took to Instagram this week to share his best snaps from last week’s Steel City derby.
If all goes as planned, the former Everton midfielder will return to Sheffield United’s matchday squad later this month after missing nearly eight months due to injury.
Davies has made only nine appearances for the Blades since signing on a free transfer in August 2023.
Tom Davies’ stats by club (as per Transfermarkt)
Tenure
Club
Appearances
Goals
Assists
2015-23
Everton
179
7
8
2023-
Sheffield United
9
0
0
Tom Davies’ injury struggles
It has been a painfully difficult few years for the now 26-year-old, who once appeared to be one of the brightest young talents in the top division. Persistent fitness concerns have had a severe impact on both his playing time and reputation in the game.
These physical challenges began while he was at Everton. A knee injury received against Tottenham Hotspur in November 2021, which was expected to keep the Scouser out for just over a month, kept Davies out until May of the following year, missing 31 matches in total.
Exactly one year later, Davies injured the same knee while on a mid-season tour to Australia. Unable to maintain a consistent level of health and form, he made just one more appearance for Everton before being released the following summer.
Davies looked for a fresh start after joining newly promoted Sheffield United with his knee intact. Unfortunately, a recurring hamstring injury sustained in October 2023 hindered him for the majority of the season, limiting him to only 214 Blades minutes so far.
During the summer, he visited a specialist center in Munich to help with his rehabilitation. During this trying time, Davies opened up about his struggles with mental health.
Davies’ rehabilitation has culminated in four consecutive appearances for the Blades Under 21s. His presence had a significant impact on the team, which scored 21-4 overall. He also scored a couple goals, notably a screamer against Huddersfield Town.
Despite these setbacks, Davies remains a Premier League veteran who is eager to return to full fitness. He is optimistic about restarting his career and contributing to Sheffield United’s bid for promotion back to the Premier League.
‘Blades, this one is for you’
Supporters can rightly be frustrated when they learn that their club has been paying full wages to a man who has played less than four hours of football in fifteen months. According to sports finance website Capology, Davies has made just under £2 million since joining the South Yorkshire club.
However, while many current players may view their club as little more than a paycheck, the midfielder’s most recent social media correspondence strongly suggests that he has genuine ambitions of integrating himself into the club’s community and legend.
The article, a typically elegant collection of photographs, captured the spirit and atmosphere of Davies’ maiden Steel City Derby.
Davies addressed his supporters personally, saying he ‘can’t wait to get back on the pitch,’ possibly hinting at a return against Coventry on the 23rd.
Clearly a popular presence in the locker room, the post received encouraging feedback within hours from multiple teammates, including Tyrese Cambpell, Rhian Brewster, and Ollie Arblaster.
Davies’ role in a promotion chasing Sheffield United side
Rejoining a Sheffield United side in strong form might be both a blessing and a curse for TD, as the midfielder may struggle to get into an apparently established starting eleven.
He returns at the best possible time, since the rigorous EFL schedule peaks around Christmastime, necessitating more squad rotation.
Davies enjoys the luxury of versatility, being able to play in any of the three midfield roles: defensive, box-to-box, and, to a lesser extent, offensive. This means that, while he is unlikely to dethrone either Vini Souza, Ollie Arblaster, or Gustavo Hamer in the short term, he will most likely be the first replacement for either three as he rekindles his passion for the professional game.
With nearly 160 Premier League appearances under his belt, Tom Davies will undoubtedly feel like a fresh signing for the Blades this winter, assuming he can regain full fitness.
Here’s hoping he can maintain regular fitness and begin to win over Blades fans both on and off the pitch.
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