Chris Wilder has opened up on the ongoing situation surrounding John Lundstram, telling the media today the the midfielder will not be signing a new Sheffield United contract.
Wilder’s comments seemingly bring an end to a saga which has dominated our off-field talk for around 12 months now. Lundstram, 26, has had a deal on the table since the last autumn but has chosen not to put pen to paper.
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
The talk now, then, is if the Blades boss wil continue to select Lundstram in the coming weeks. And although Wilder once again admitted he’d pick the midfielder if his attitude fit the bill, the United boss also hinted that we may have seen the last of the Blades number 7.
“I have got to make that decision and look at that with a short, medium and long-term view,” Wilder said when quizzed on if he’d continue to play Lundstram. (Yorkshire Live)
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“The players that are committed to us, should I side behind those, or a player that doesn’t want to sign for the club? “
(Photo by Dave Thompson/Pool via Getty Images)
Lundstram has played all six games for United this season as it stands. He’s been involved in key moments, too, missing a penalty at Aston Villa before seeing a golden chance saved against Leeds.
But Wilder, honest as ever, says the door may still be open in terms of selection.
“I believe if John does play he will want to do his best I wouldn’t select him if I didn’t think he was in the right frame of mind or he wouldn’t step out on the pitch. I wouldn’t select him,” Wilder added.
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It was always heading down this road, wasn’t it? Time has run out it seems and Lundstram won’t be a Sheffield United player next season however it pans out from here.
There’s two sides to the coin, of course. Lundstram may feel he’s got a better offer elsewhere and given a footballer’s career is a short one, that’s fair play.
But he’s also come of age as a Blade and Wilder has got the best from a player who barely played during the Championship promotion season.
It’s a sad end, this. Unfortunately, I can’t see Lunny being given much more of a chance between now and January unless Wilder deems it absolutely necessary.
