Three stars that could leave Sheffield United after relegation confirmed

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 4 min read

Sheffield United have equalled the record for the earliest Premier League relegation with a 1-0 defeat to Wolves sealing their fate with six games to go.

The Blades took to Premier League life so impressively under Chris Wilder last season, pushing for European football before ultimately finishing ninth in their first top flight campaign for 13 years.

This season though, Wilder struggled to strengthen the squad in the transfer market and the club have never really looked like staying up, holding up the table all season and costing the manager his job.

With Championship football sealed for next season, the Blades could face a battle to hold onto these stars if bigger clubs come knocking.

Sander Berge

The January signing of Sander Berge last year was seen as something of a coup for Sheffield United given his growing reputation at the time.

Berge was 20 years old at the time and was the captain of Genk, having just played Liverpool in the Champions League group stages.

READ MORE: Manchester City in the hunt for Sheffield United’s Sander Berge

While he hasn’t quite set the league alight, Berge has at times shown why he is so highly rated across the continent over 27 appearances with the Blades so far.

This season has been difficult for the Norwegian international, though, with hamstring surgery in December meaning he has missed most of the campaign.

Wilder said in February that Berge would outgrow the Blades and play Champions League football again one day, with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City believed to be queuing up.

John Fleck

Believed to be a target of Arsenal for quite some time, John Fleck was one of the stars of the 2019/20 season for Sheffield, and has again been one of the Blades’ shining lights.

The Scotsman has made 25 appearances in the Premier League this season, playing the sixth-most minutes among outfielders for the side.

He has the equal-most assists in the team this season, although the total is a rather uninspiring two, and ranks second with 18.1 final third passes P90.

The 29-year-old did sign a new contract in February last year, extending his deal until 2023, but should Arsenal or any other Premier League club renew their interest, the Scottish international could be on the way out of Bramall Lane.

Aaron Ramsdale

Poor Aaron Ramsdale has now been relegated in back-to-back seasons after going down with Bournemouth in 2019/20.

The 22-year-old had a breakout season for the Cherries and warranted another season in the top flight, with Sheffield United swooping in to sign him in the summer.

Ramsdale’s superb Blades performance against Liverpool

Ramsdale did keep in the recent U-21 European Championships with England, though the campaign ended in disaster as the Young Lions failed to progress to the knockouts in the summer.

The shot-stopper has played every league minute for Sheffield United this season and despite keeping only two clean sheets in 32 games, he has further added to his stocks in the top flight.

West Ham are believed to be showing some interest and will likely face competition with a number of Premier League sides in need of reinforcements in net.