While Sheffield United continue to fly on the pitch under Paul Heckingbottom, there are some concerns when it comes to new contracts for some key members of this current Blades squad.
The main two are Chris Basham and Billy Sharp. The two Blades talismen have been key in the revival seen at Bramall Lane in recent seasons. Indeed, Basham made his 300th appearances last night, while Sharp once again showed his class at the age of 36 with another two goals.
However, both are out of contract in the summer, albeit there is an option from the club’s side to extend those deals by a year if the board wants to do so. There has, naturally, been calls recently for Prince Abdullah and Stephen Bettis to ‘stop messing about’ as some put it, and simply extend the deals right now. Paul Heckingbottom, too, has made no secret of his desire to keep the pair.
But according to a report today in The Examiner, one of those contracts could be about to sort itself out.
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Chris Basham To Trigger To Sheffield United Contract
While Sharp spoke the other week about being eager to see the club extend his deal by a certain date, it appears Basham might be able to take things into his own hands.
Answering questions for The Examiner today, local reporter Nathan Hemmingham spoke about how Basham’s deal is appearance related. And with that, he is said to be approaching the trigger point.
“United have an option on every contract that is expiring, so strictly speaking they are all still here for another 18 months. Chris Basham, for example, has an automatic trigger in his deal that will get activated based on a number of appearances being reached which, given the way he is playing right now, will likely be achieved unless he suffers a major injury,” Hemmingham wrote.
Certainly, it’s not something Blades fans would be against at all. Basham is something of a cult-hero at the club. But beyond that, he’s also a damn good defender and is key in this team.
It almost seems farcical looking back a few months to a time when Basham couldn’t get a game under Slavisa Jokanovic. Now, he seems better and fitter than ever. And long may it continue.
Ultimately, Chris Basham more than deserves a new contract with Sheffield United Football Club.
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