Three current Sheffield United players have been named in the Guardian’s Football League team of the decade.
The newspaper selected those who have stood out the most in the Championship, League One and League Two since 2010.
Amazingly, three of those named in the starting XI are among the current Blades squad. Chris Basham has a place at centre-back, Enda Stevens is included at left-back and Billy Sharp is named as the lone striker.
Chris Wilder also gets an honourable mention as the manager of the decade. Wilder has not only been promoted twice with United, but also took Northampton Town up from the fourth tier.
Eddie Howe was eventually given the honour having taken Bournemouth from the foot of the EFL to the Premier League.
Why Sheffield United trio were included in team of the decade
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It shows just how much Wilder has achieved at Bramall Lane since becoming boss in 2016. Two promotions and a return to the top flight for the first time in 12 years has since followed.
The Blades have taken every step upwards in their stride. They currently sit eighth in the Premier League after 20 matches with 29 points. They are ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Everton.
So it is credit to Wilder and his team’s achievements that Basham, Stevens and Sharp have been included.
On Basham:
“Christened ‘Bashambauer’ by Blades supporters because of his roaming runs, the defender, who used to clean Kevin Nolan’s boots at Bolton, has proved one of Chris Wilder’s most trusted allies since joining on a free in 2014.”
On Stevens:
“His career in England was ailing – but Portsmouth handed him a lifeline in the fourth tier the following summer and Stevens flourished before joining Sheffield United two years ago. Secured promotion under Wilder in May.”
On Sharp:
“He has scored 147 in the Football League since January 2010. A talisman, Sharp has an unerring knack of being in the right place at the right time and got 23 goals for his boyhood club en route to the Premier League last season.”