Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has revealed that he owes Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe in regards to Lys Mousset.
Mousset scored his third goal of the season this weekend as the Blades continued their unbeaten away record. The Frenchman tucked into the corner following Enda Stevens’ knockdown.
It was the second goal in the space of a week for Mousset. His winner against Arsenal in midweek gave United a valuable home win.
The 23-year-old signed for the Blades in the summer. At the time, it was a club-record deal for United, although they broke that again with the signing of Oli McBurnie.
And now his manager Chris Wilder has admitted that he owes Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe. After identifying Mousset as one of his targets in the summer, Wilder revealed that he was given a glowing reference on Mousset.
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“Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall at Bournemouth told me how good Lys is. He just didn’t get an opportunity because of their other strikers,” Wilder told the Telegraph.
“He was kept out of the team by Callum Wilson and Josh King, two of the best strikers in the division. So his opportunities there were very limited. It’s opened up for him a little bit but he didn’t have a great pre-season. If he was up to speed, he would have started.”
Lack of starts
Mousset has only started one game so far for United this season in the Premier League. A lot of fans have been calling for him to get more game time.
However, Wilder has admitted he needs to do more work on the training ground to get fully match-fit.
“He needs more work on the training ground and in the gym. He has attributes none of our players have got. Some can run around the pitch all day, but are they as powerful and explosive as Mousset?” Wilder added.
Another chance this weekend
This weekend sees the Blades entertain Burnley. It’s their final game before another international break.
With a weeks worth of training behind him, it could be the ideal chance for Mousset to get a second start for United.
David McGoldrick seems to be first-choice at the moment. That’s left the battle for the second striker role wide open at Bramall Lane. Billy Sharp has come on twice in the last two games, while Oli McBurnie has missed out in the main.
Mousset will be hoping his goals ensure he gets the nod against the Clarets.