Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom is over in Geneva today ahead of some crucial talks with the United World board.
Heckingbottom will hope for some clarity over a number of things. Front and centre will be the players and the budget he has got to work with.
United are expected to try and utilise the loan market once again. Money will be available for some permanent deals but the Blades are not going to spend like they did in their last two season in the top flight.
With that in mind, sorting out new contracts for players is going to be crucial.
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Sheffield United contracts a big issue
After winning promotion, United boss Heckingbottom admitted he’d like to keep all the players currently in the squad.
11 players are set to see their deals end. And there’s some big names in there such as Ollie Norwood, Billy Sharp, Oli McBurnie and Wes Foderingham.
However, while there seems to be a clamour from the outside to sort this quickly, The Star reports that the Blades actually have options in most of these contracts to extend by a year. Those options are said to be in the club’s favour, meaning the club can activate said options before a certain date.
It remains unclear who those are with options. Oli McBurnie is said to be one of those with a year option, while the lack of noise around Wes Foderingham and Jack Robinson would suggest they are both comfortable with their situation.
Others, such as John Fleck, Enda Stevens, and Billy Sharp, seem to face more uncertain futures. Indeed, Sharp seemed visibly upset as he enjoyed the promotion parade last week.
Sheffield United News View: Big decisions need to be made
Heckingbottom needs the board’s backing when it comes to Sheffield United player contracts. The manager knows the dressing room and if he wants some of those experienced pros still around then that should be his say so.
Of course, this all factors into the budget and eats into the spending plans. But the problem United have if they don’t offer the likes of Stevens and Fleck deals, for example, is finding suitable replacements.
Sharp’s is the toughest decision. Clearly, Hecky values him. But at 38, he isn’t going to play much and the board may feel there’s no value in keeping him around. Time will tell with that one.
Players like Norwood need to be kept, while Daniel Jebbison will surely have an option in his expiring deal.
All in all, the club needs to make their minds up here and quickly. Anymore dithering will eat into Hecky’s planning and prep and going into the Premier League, that could make all the difference.
