Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has given the firmest indication yet over how he’ll address new contracts for some of the top players at the club.
The Blades are heading into the summer in a really tricky position as a number of their top players are out of contract.
The likes of John Egan, Chris Basham, Oli McBurnie and George Baldock are all approaching the end of their deals, while others such as Wes Foderingham and Ben Osborn are in the same boat.
Of course, the majority of those players have spent most of this season injured.
And speaking to the press yesterday, Chris Wilder has admitted that fitness and availability will weigh heavily on his thinking when it comes to new deals.
Chris Wilder speaks out on John Egan and Sheffield United contracts
In quotes provided from his presser by the Yorkshire Post, Wilder admitted there is a deep thought process to considering new contract offers.
“You never know, going into the final two or three games if he makes the strides and the speed of recovery he is doing at the moment, if John’s available and needed he’s certainly someone we can rely on with his experience, know-how and ability,” Wilder said.
“It’s quite a difficult one because we’ve talked about availability at this football club and it’s huge. The availability of players for quite a long period has not been great and it affects everything – your consistency, continuity, team selection, ability to change things, rest players, to get into any sort of rhythm. We need players that are available and you have to make decisions on players. That isn’t being negative to the likes of Basham and John Egan who’ve been outstanding and I’d love them to still be part of things moving forward. But we have to make sure John gets back to full fitness and it’s not just an emotional signing because of what he’s done in the past.”
Blades have big decisions looming
This is an interesting comment from Wilder and almost telling in that he is considering the futures of everyone, even those who many consider some of his favourites.
For the likes of John Egan and George Baldock, it will feel strange for them heading into the summer with no new contract, given their contribution to the club.
But Wilder is right. With relegation the most likely outcome this season, the club needs to be careful over who it keeps on and who gets new deals. As Wilder says, we cannot carry players who are going to be injured a lot.
McBurnie, Egan, Basham and Baldock, then, will no doubt be scoping out potential clubs as they sit and wait for United to make their minds up.