Sheffield United will be hoping they are playing in the Premier League by next season.
The Blades are currently in a promotion race at the top of the Championship and are two points off leaders Norwich City.
Yet West Bromwich Albion are only a point behind them and Leeds United are level with a game in hand. It’s going to be tough to finish in the top two.
If United do miss out on the top flight then it’s likely several of their players will be wanted by top tier sides. Here are three possible candidates.
John Fleck
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
There was interest in Fleck from England’s top flight during the January transfer window. Sky Sports reported that West Ham United made a £4m bid for the midfielder.
Unsurprisingly the Blades rejected the offer – reported by the Sheffield Star – for their 2017/18 player of the year. However, that doesn’t mean that the interest has gone.
Fleck has been crucial for Chris Wilder’s side once again this term, earning his first senior call-up by Scotland as a result.
Oliver Norwood
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Norwood was on the back of successive promotions from the Championship with Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham last summer. So United did well to sign the 27-year-old on loan.
Not only that, but the £2m fee the Sheffield Star reports they paid to make his move permanent in January now looks like a steal.
Norwood’s passing and creativity from central midfield makes it surprising he hasn’t been given a real chance in the Premier League before.
Jack O’Connell
The Blades have built much of their success in 2018/19 on their defensive solidity. Only Bristol City and Middlesbrough have conceded fewer than their 34 goals.
One key factor in that is O’Connell, who had not missed a single minute of league action before last weekend. Injury forced the centre-back out of the 4-0 win over Reading.
Still only 24-years-old it is highly likely those from the league above are keeping a close eye on O’Connell.
