Sheffield United defender Jack O’Connell is now worth £15m.
That is according to the Sheffield Star, who say that O’Connell’s value has increased “30 times” since his arrival in 2016.
The 25-year-old was among Chris Wilder’s first signings as manager. O’Connell joined the Blades from Brentford three years ago for a fee of £500,000.
Now it is believed that the centre-back is worth £15m – which in truth doesn’t seem that far fetched.
Especially as O’Connell was attracting interest from the Premier League just 10 months ago. As Sky Sports reported at the time, Brighton and Hove Albion were prepared to pay £6m for him.
Double that wouldn’t even be enough to secure O’Connell it seems, who is preparing to face Brighton next season following United’s promotion from the Championship.
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O’Connell’s influence
The former Bees man played a big part in the Blades’ successful campaign in 2018/19. O’Connell missed just five league matches, also chipping in with three goals.
In fact, when injury ruled him out of the home clash with Middlesbrough in February, the former England Under-19 international had started 100 consecutive league matches for the club.
To date, O’Connell has played 140 times for United, scoring nine times.
His influence this term helped Wilder’s men to the joint best defensive record in the Championship alongside Boro. They conceded just 41 goals.
Not only that, but no other side in the division kept as many clean sheets as the Blades’ 21. O’Connell was in the starting XI for 17 of those.
The ex-Rochdale ace has also perfectly adapted to Wilder’s unique 3-5-2 formation. As one of the three centre halves, usually alongside John Egan and Chris Basham, O’Connell is required in both defence and attack.
That is because Wilder has implemented a system where the wider centre-backs overlap during moves forward. Often they are the most advanced player in the team. Which is perhaps why O’Connell has also contributed four assists this term.