Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says the club don’t have the same spending power as others in the Premier League.
In fact, Wilder goes as far to say that perhaps all the other sides in the division have more financial clout than the Blades.
“We don’t have the same as most other teams, if not all of them, in this division,” the 52-year-old told The Sheffield Star.
“But that’s not a complaint and I’m comfortable with the situation. In fact, I want to thank the owner for his backing because he’s given me everything he can.
“If he could pump £200m at the drop of a hat into the team, then I’m sure he would. In fact I know he would, because everyone has seen how much he loves his football.
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“But we can’t do that. What we can do, though, and what he’s done, is give me as much support as he possibly can and I’m thankful for it.”
Whether this is true or not is open to interpretation. Yet it is certainly true that Wilder has overachieved to guide his boyhood team to ninth in 2019/20 – in their first top flight season in 12 years.
Especially when compared to the others that came up with United last term. Norwich City finished rock bottom and returned to the Championship. Aston Villa only avoided the same fate on the final day of the campaign.
Sheffield United spending compared to Aston Villa
(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
The Blades face Villa on Monday in their second league game of the season. It comes on the back of an opening day 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Since the two clubs came up together from the second tier, their spending has certainly differed.
Last summer, Sky Sports reports that only Manchester United spent more than the Birmingham side during the transfer window. The Villans splashed £144.5m on the likes of Tyrone Mings, Wesley and Matt Targett.
The Blades did spend, but significantly less with £43m. However, that was increased by more than a third in January when they paid a club record £22m (BBC Sport) fee for Sander Berge.
Villa, meanwhile, spent £10.9m (Sky Sports). Although they have followed that up with a record £33m deal (BBC Sport) for Ollie Watkins this summer, as well as a further £50m on Matty Cash, Emiliano Martinez and Bertrand Traore.
In contrast, the Blades have paid £18.5m (BBC Sport) for Aaron Ramsdale and a £15m double deal (Sky Sports) for Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe.
In total since getting promoted together, Villa have splashed £238.4m. The Blades have spent £99.5m. Wilder might have a point.
