Sheffield United eyes have been on the international fixtures this week, with three Blades players, including John Egan, impressing for the Republic of Ireland.
Egan won the plaudits of Stephen Kenny in midweek. The Irish boss claimed the United defender was good enough for the Champions League, after an imperious showing against Cristiano Ronaldo.
Egan’s performances for Ireland are a bonus for the Blades. Defensively, Slavisa Jokanovic’s side have been woeful. Of course, Egan is part of that defence but in fairness to him, he’s been the best of a bad bunch.
Uninspiring Olsen
Behind Egan and the rest of the defence has been Swedish number one, Robin Olsen. Signed from Roma on loan, United fans were rightfully looking forward to an assured, experienced stopper.
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However, things haven’t gone well. Olsen has put in some poor performances and made some even poorer errors. It started in his first appearance, and since then hasn’t exactly picked up.
That’s why it might be good for the Blades if they can get the likes of Egan and Enda Stevens to get into the ear of Ireland stopper, Gavin Bazanu.
Bazanu, 19, has been outstanding for Portsmouth and Ireland in recent weeks. In fact, he’s kept four clean-sheets in a row for the Irish, and was once again in fine form against Luxembourg last night.
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All Sheffield United fans know the importance of a good goalkeeper in the first XI. And it can be a loan stopper, too. Dean Henderson showed us all that, so there is hope that Olsen can still produce.
However, Olsen is also on big money at United. Talk of more than £50k-a-week has been doing the rounds among some fans. In essence, it could make sense to send Olsen back, and look at someone like Bazanu.
The teenager is currently on loan from Manchester City. He has big credentials, and Pep Guardiola is thought to rate Gavin Bazanu highly. Surely, then, the Blades might be best served at least testing the water?
Of course, any move would need his deal with Pompey cancelling. It would also mean City agreeing for him to come to The Lane, and Olsen obviously having his own loan terminated.
But with Bazanu impressing with Ireland, forming a relationship with Egan and others, and getting better with each performance, the young stopper is definitely someone who should be high on United’s agenda.
