Sheffield United urged to retain Chris Wilder mainstay even if Hamer, Souza, Ahmedhodzic move on | OneFootball

Football League World's Sheffield United pundit is resigned to losing multiple stars if the Blades miss out on promotion

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sheffield United have been urged to retain the services of goalkeeper Michael Cooper if they are to miss out on promotion to the Premier League this season.

Cooper arrived from fellow Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle shortly after the 2024/25 season had started, quickly establishing himself as a key figure in Chris Wilder’s promotion-chasing side.

Sheffield United must keep Michael Cooper if they miss out on promotion

Whilst the Blades currently occupy one of two automatic promotion spots at the top of the table, a spot in next season’s Premier League is not yet confirmed.

That has caused sections of Sheffield United’s fanbase to think up worst-case scenarios this summer, if the Blades are unable to get over the line with eight Championship games remaining.

Football League World’s resident Blades expert Jimmy believes it is unrealistic for Sheffield United to retain their current playing squad if the Yorkshire club miss out on promotion.

Jimmy said he was already resigned to losing outfield stars Gustavo Hamer, Vini Souza, and Anel Ahmedhodzic.

As such, Jimmy has highlighted one player his side must prioritise keeping at Bramall Lane in the event of another season of Championship football for the Blades.

When asked for his realistic wish for Sheffield United’s upcoming transfer activity, Jimmy told FLW: “I’m not sure how realistic it would be, but say we stay down in the Championship, I’m not sure how realistic it would be to keep everyone together.

“But the one realistic wish I would have if we were to stay down would be to keep Michael Cooper.

“I’m fully expecting to lose Gus Hamer, Vini Souza, and Anel Ahmedhodzic. I’ve already come to terms with that, if we were a Championship club next season.

“So I’d say that keeping Michael Cooper (is a realistic wish).

“He’s always the foundation of everything we’ve done right this season.”

Chris Wilder should be backed in transfer market if Sheffield United earn Premier League return

Despite first thinking of the damage control that would have to be carried out if the Blades missed out on promotion this season, Jimmy also had hopes for Sheffield United if they do return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Last season’s Sheffield United side struggled in the top flight, finishing bottom of the division with 16 points – the third-lowest tally of points in the Premier League era.

Part of the mitigating factors behind the Blades’ struggles was the quiet transfer window they endured prior to the campaign, with the club up for sale and no investment from their then-owners forthcoming.

With that struggling season still fresh in the memory, Jimmy simply wants manager Chris Wilder backed in the transfer market if Sheffield United were to go up this year.

He restarted: “If we were to get promoted to the Premier League, I would just want us to have a go.

“I want us to have a go - I don’t want us to do anything to risk the club’s future, but with new ownership there’s a lot of new optimism around the club.

“Hopefully, they can repay that blind faith by giving Chris Wilder some money to spend, and giving us half a chance of survival.”