Sheffield United have had quite the 12 months in 2019 – but who are their best players?
This calendar year has seen the Blades win the race for the promotion from the Championship and impress in their first Premier League season in 12 years.
Chris Wilder has overseen an amazing transformation of a side who spent their sixth consecutive campaign in League One in 2016/17.
Several key people have contributed to that success on the pitch. Yet some really stand out when it comes to handing out praise.
The three best Sheffield United players of 2019
(Photo by Rich Linley – CameraSport via Getty Images)
SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Dean Henderson
Signed on loan from Manchester United in 2018, Henderson is a true Blade despite the fact he is only on a temporary deal at Bramall Lane.
Currently in his second season on loan with the Blades, the 22-year-old finished with the most clean sheets in the second tier in 2018/19 with 21. Fourteen of those came after the new year.
Henderson has only missed one league outing this term and that was against his parent club. It is no coincidence Wilder’s side conceded three goals in that game.
Henderson has had his issues in 2019 – most notably high profile mistakes against Aston Villa and Liverpool. Yet his response to those has been exceptional and his recent England call-up is more than deserved.
Oliver Norwood
The signing of Norwood in the summer of 2018 cannot be underestimated. Promoted twice from the Championship in as many seasons, the midfielder was the catalyst for the Blades in repeating the feat.
A deep lying midfield option, Norwood is the best passer in Wilder’s armoury. The 28-year-old has stepped up in his first ever Premier League campaign with aplomb.
The fact he Norwood is often handed the captain’s armband is testament to his leadership skills as well.
Enda Stevens
It seems harsh to leave some defenders out of this list. Both John Egan and Jack O’Connell have great cases and are unlucky not to be included.
Yet Stevens has been truly outstanding this year. A crucial element in Wilder’s wing-back system, the Republic of Ireland international is arguably the hardest player to replace.
2019 has seen Stevens’ attacking attributes really flourish, with five goals to his name already. There are few better left-backs in the entire division.
