Who should Sheffield United sign Tommy Doyle or Shea Charles? | OneFootball

There are several reasons for signing either of the two central midfielders linked to Sheffield United today. Firstly, Tommy Doyle and Shea Charles are quality Championship midfielders, with the former proving to be a capable Premier League one. Secondly, is the battle between nostalgia (Doyle) and banter (Charles). Ideally, both could sign but if it has to be one or the other, who should United sign?

Nostalgia vs Banter

First, let’s address, the Owl in the room both figuratively and literally. To the Sheffield Wednesday fans that may be reading this, hello and welcome to Sheff United Way, we hope you enjoy your stay. Why not browse our website as a break from what’s going on at Hillsborough at the moment?

Now we’ve got that disclaimer out of the way, one of the reasons to sign Charles from Southampton is banter. Charles has undoubtedly been one of Wednesday’s best players this season. He has even been one of the Championship’s better midfielders this season, which Sheffield’s red-and-white have been too stubborn to admit. But, the cherry on top of signing Charles is not his ability. It is the power of one-upping our neighbours.

On the other hand, Tommy Doyle coming back to the Lane is a heartwarming deal. A return to the cup run of 2023 and that goal against Blackburn Rovers. Plus, as much as I love watching James McAtee, I have to admit it was difficult to accept the PL rules that prevented Doyle’s return last season.

So the question really is, bring home a fan-favourite or have a potential last-minute winner from Charles at Hillsborough in the derby? Based on this alone, I think Doyle edges it, despite how satisfying the Charles announcement video could be.

Statistically

Ultimately, once the dust on any online drama settles, this is what matters for the rest of the season. Who is the best statistically on the pitch and who can add the most to the team. The stats used for this are from FotMob and are from Charles this season and Tommy Doyle’s from 2022-2023. They will also be based on per 90 as Doyle’s stats are based on a full season.

Defensively

Since, the injuries to Vinicius Souza and Oliver Arblaster the Blades have been in need of a defensively-minded midfielder to let Tom Davies and Sydie Peck have a rest. Doyle and Charles are both capable defensive midfielders.

Doyle had a tackles won percentage per 90 (64.5%) for the Blades compared to Charles’ tackles won percentage (53.3%). Interestingly, the amount of tackles won per match is actually higher for Charles (1.81) to Doyle’s (0.97). This suggests Charles is attempting more tackles leading him to become less accurate than Doyle when trying to win them. This could also be due to Charles playing for a mid-table Wednesday side compared to Doyle playing for a title-chasing Blades side. With Charles forced to make more tackles to win the ball back, whilst Doyle held possession between himself, Berge and McAtee.

From a duels won (ground or aerially) Charles takes the crown over Doyle. Charles wins 7.05 duels per 90 and 1.18 aerial duels per 90 compared to Doyle’s 3.73 duels won and 0.68 aerial duels won. He also has a greater percentage of these duels won (58.2% ground and 54.2% aerial) compared to Doyle’s 51% and 48.3% respectively.

In other defensive stats, Doyle takes it on recoveries per 90 (8.14) to Charles’ 6.1. Whilst, Charles’ interceptions per 90 (1.58) is greater than Doyle’s 0.82.

Ultimately, it appears that statistically they are evenly split but are better in different areas. It’s more likely the two will be separated by other areas of their game as both are very competent defensively.

Passing

Doyle made a higher number of passes per 90 (39.2) compared to Charles (32.1) although Charles had a higher pass accuracy of 81% to Doyle’s (78.5%). Although, when looking at Doyle making more per 90, the difference in accuracy is marginal at best.

Doyle’s long ball accuracy (49.7%) is higher than Charles’ long ball accuracy (42.4%). Whilst, Doyle’s 3.78 accurate long balls per 90 is three times higher than Charles’ accurate long balls per 90 (1.27). Therefore, Tommy Doyle is clearly plays more progressive passes per 90 helping the Blades of 2022-2023 get the ball up the field. This is further demonstrated by Doyle’s 1.70 chances created per 90 to Charles’ 1.36 chances created per 90.

Ultimately, Doyle is the better passer of the two, but Charles isn’t too far behind. But adding Tommy’s progressive passing to the Blades creators of Gustavo Hamer and Callum O’Hare could be crucial to getting more goals out of United’s strikers.

In Possession

It is important as the defence before the defence, that the Blades two holding midfielders are comfortable in possession. Initially, Doyle across the entirety of 2022-2023 was dispossessed 0.63 times per 90 a lower amount than Charles being dispossessed 0.95 times per 90. An inability to be dispossessed isn’t only good for keeping the ball with the Blades. But it also gives more confidence to the defenders behind them.

From a successful dribble percentage Tommy Doyle has 60% dribble success much higher than Charles’ 48.6%. Plus, Doyle made 1.55 touches in the oppositions box per 90 compared to Charles’ 0.81.

In possession, Doyle is clearly the more comfortable, with his touches in the opposition box further showing his greater willingness to join the attack.

Shooting

Tommy Doyle had 2.13 shots and 0.78 shots on target per 90 in the 2022-2023 season compared to Charles who has made 0.68 shots per 90 and 0.14 shots on target per 90. The fact Doyle has more shots per 90 than Charles’ shots on target per 90 continues to show Doyle’s greater ability to join attacks. Although it should again be remembered the teams both players are in, Doyle, a promotion-winning Blades side and Charles in a mid-table Wednesday team.

More generally, Doyle scored three goals and four assists in 33 matches. In comparison to Charles’ one goal and four assists in 23 matches for Wednesday. Notably, Charles has started all of those 23, whilst Doyle only started 21 of his 33 league appearances.

Ultimately, Doyle is more likely to attempt to score, whilst Charles seems more of a creator interested in supplying goals. With Doyle better at balancing the two.

Doyle’s time in the Wolfpack

We shouldn’t ignore the fact that out of the two. Tommy Doyle has now gained Premier League experience. In his one and a half seasons, Doyle has scored twice and made one assist for Wolves in 51 games in all competitions.

32 of his appearances came in his first season. This suggests he has been a fairly regular member of Wolves’ squad. Although, he only played four minutes against Newcastle yesterday in the Premier League. Whilst of his 17 Premier League appearances this season, he has made just three starts. In total, he has played 432 minutes, which is 4.8 full games of football.

With the uncertainty of new manager, Vitor Pereira. Doyle’s playing time may increase or he could become an outsider, thus giving the Blades a chance at signing him.

Takeaways

Ultimately, Tommy Doyle’s return is more appealing to me and statistically if a move can be made he would be the better signing for the promotion fight. Not only because of his ability but his experience of being in a Blades’ promotion before.

However, it’s possible that Charles is more likely to be made available by his parent club. Plus, Blades everywhere would enjoy having Charles cross the divide.