Sheffield United will have Harry Souttar for the full season after he hit an appearance total that ensures he can not be recalled in January, Chris Wilder has said.
Sheffield United revamped the ranks in the summer transfer window and among the new faces brought in at Bramall Lane was Australian centre-back Harry Souttar.
The towering defender had struggled for game time with Leicester City and dropped back down to the Championship as a result. And, since linking up with the Blades, Souttar has reminded everyone what he’s capable of.
sheffield united loan man harry souttar
Image courtesy of: ISABEL INFANTES/REUTERS.
The 26-year-old has been a mainstay in Chris Wilder’s starting XI, playing the full 90 minutes in all of the last 14 Championship games while Sheffield United have kept a remarkable 10 clean sheets in the process.
Such form and a change of management at parent club Leicester City have led to inevitable concerns over a winter recall for Souttar.
However, Blades boss Wilder has moved to allay those fears.
Speaking to the assembled press on Thursday afternoon (as relayed by The Star), the Sheffield United manager revealed Souttar has hit a certain total of games that means Leicester can no longer bring the former Stoke City star back to the King Power in January. He said:
“I do believe – after doing a bit of digging – that from an appearance point of view, he had to play so many games, or a percentage of so many of the games.
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“And he’s past that now, so he’s here for the season. And that’s great news for us.”
Here to stay
Fears over the futures of loan players are inevitable coming towards January, especially when the individual is playing so well and forming a crucial part of a succeeding team.
Souttar has been a big hit at Sheffield United, so it’s a huge boost for them that he’s staying put. They won’t have to worry about his fate come January and the player can remain focused on the task at hand.
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sheffield united, Chris Wilder makes revelation over Harry Souttar’s Sheffield United future amid January concerns
Image courtesy of: JASON CAIRNDUFF/REUTERS.
Alongside Anel Ahmedhodzic, the Blades look to have a partnership that could inspire them to promotion.
If both can stay fit – and on the good side of Championship referees – they are bound to have a crucial role to play at Bramall Lane over the rest of the 2024/25 season.
A future beyond this season?
Many loans are often for the sake of game time, and that will have been the main motivation for Souttar. However, deals like his can also be with a scope to something more long-term.
The latest managerial change at Leicester City could give the Australian another shot there, and he’s still under a long-term contract at the King Power.
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That said though, it hasn’t really worked out for him there. As such – especially if Sheffield United were to win promotion – you can’t help but feel this deal definitely has the potential to develop into something more permanent at the end of the season.
Time will tell exactly what the future holds though, with Souttar and co remaining fully focused on the promotion bid in the Steel City.