Sheffield United Players Whose Contracts Will Expire in the Summer – Part One
Sheffield United, currently under a transfer embargo, cannot bring any players to the club right now. As such, the Blades need to rely on the players already under contract – however, these six players will see their contracts expire in the summer if they are not renewed in time.
There’s a strong bunch of players within the six. Among them include a club talisman, a promising youngster and a host of ex-Premier League footballers.
Oli McBurnie
Powerful centre forward Oli McBurnie will see his contract run out in the summer if he is not offered a fresh deal. While not the most prolific, his energy levels and physicality make him difficult to deal with.
So far, it has been a good season for McBurnie. He’s scored nine goals and registered one assist across 20 Championship games.
He’s only 26, too – he has yet to hit his theoretical prime. While he has his critics, he still has something to offer and could potentially grow into a Premier League quality striker.
Jack O’Connell
You can only feel for Jack O’Connell. He’s a brilliant centre half, capable of holding his own against the best that the Premier League has to offer – but due to injury, he hasn’t made a senior team appearance for two and a half years.
While he is making positive progress and could return sooner rather than later, players can regress massively when returning from a long-term injury. It would be a shame to see O’Connell leave the club in such a manner, but as of right now, it’s unclear what he still has in the tank.
Since arriving at the club back in 2016, the 28-year-old has made 166 appearance for the Blades, scoring seven goals.
Oliver Norwood
Stalwart midfielder Oliver Norwood initially joined Sheffield United back in 2018 on loan, before completing a permanent transfer the following year. However, at 31, he isn’t getting any younger.
A great passer with bundles of energy, he’s the ideal player to have in the middle of the park for the level Sheffield United are playing at. He’s made 185 league appearances for the Blades, scoring seven goals.
He’s also obtained 57 caps for Northern Ireland, before retiring from international football at the young age of 28.
John Fleck
Another fan favourite at the lane, like O’Connell, Fleck has been a Sheffield United player since 2016. A talented playmaker who loves to put in a meaty challenge, his presence in midfield would certainly be missed if he is allowed to leave on a free.
Despite this, he is 31 – he’s approaching the tail end of his career. While he has Premier League experience, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see United try to snap up a younger replacement – so long as the transfer embargo has been lifted by then.
This season, Fleck hasn’t had an awful lot of gametime. So far, he’s only played the full 90 minutes of four league games.
Ismaila Coulibaly
Ismaila Coulibaly has seldom been given a chance to shine at Bramall Lane. However, he’s just 22 – he still has plenty of time to grow.
He was given his Sheffield United debut this season in an FA Cup tie against Millwall. His Blades league debut is yet to come.
The club are currently in the process of renewing Coulibaly’s work permit – if the application is successful, which it is likely to be, you can expect to see the Malian starlet for years to come at United.
Billy Sharp
One of the greatest legends in the rich history of Sheffield United Football Club, Billy Sharp’s popularity around Shoreham is unrivalled.
Sharp is now 36, having spent time at clubs such as Leeds United, Scunthorpe United and Southampton over the course of his storied career.
While he’s made plenty of appearances this season (22 in the league), Sharp has only been able to muster two goals and one assist. Is it time for this Blades icon to move on?