Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is already making plans for January as he looks to give his team at least a fighting chance.
This week’s defeat against Luton has left United cut adrift at the bottom of the table. That result, coupled with the likely loss at Man City in a few days time, means Prince Abdullah is unlikely to be overly enamoured to spend large sums in January.
However, Wilder has made no secret of his desire to move players on and bring a few in. The Blades boss is wanting ‘quick decisions’ and will hope for backing.
And among the players Wilder could look to shift on is one of Paul Heckingbottom’s latest additions, Benie Traore.
Traore signed for United in the summer for around £4m. However, he’s yet to score, is barely featuring, and to those who have seen him play, looks way off the pace.
Benie Traore could leave Sheffield United
While there’s no direct criticism to be levelled at Traore and he was obviously brought in after showing promise in Scandinavia, he has looked miles off being ready when he’s featured.
In his defence, he is a young man in a new country, playing for a team who are doing dire in terms of results and have had a change of manager. Further, coming from Sweden to the Premier League is an absolutely massive step.
However, while those factors are in Traore’s favour and defence, the fact is that United need players who can contribute right now.
It was telling that Wilder didn’t include Traore at all in the squad against Luton, opting for the returning Rhian Brewster instead. It’s worth noting, too, that Traore has yet to come on even in the games Wilder has selected him, barring 20 minutes against Liverpool.
For the 20-year-old, it might well be a case of going out on loan to get going again. Traore was bought for the long-term so there’s little point letting him go permanently, unless we get our money back.
But there are players in the squad who look ahead of him right now. Will Osula and Ryan One both look the part at similar ages, while even in the 23s, Antwoine Hackford is flying again after coming back from injury.
Traore, then, could benefit from a move to the Championship or even League One if we are to see the benefit of his signing in the longer term.