5 former Sellés’ players Sheffield United should sign | OneFootball

Sometimes football managers like to take players from their previous jobs with them to their new clubs. Especially, if the manager is moving up the divisions or higher up the same division. As it usually puts them in a better financial position to sign the best players from previous squads.

Chris Wilder had his players, and Sellés will have his. Whilst there will be new names entering Bramall Lane this summer that neither Sellés nor United will have worked with before. The Blades have already been linked with Steven Alzate of Sellés’ former club Hull City.

So here is a look at Alzate and six other players the Blades could sign from Sellés’ former clubs.

Steven Alzate

(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The Colombian international midfielder has been linked with the Blades before. AS Colombia reported that the Blades were interested last summer after his release from Brighton.

It is now reported by the Mirror Football that the Blades are still admirers of Alzate who has one year left on his deal at Hull City. With his contract status leaving the Tigers willing to cash in on him.

Prior to arriving at Hull, the London-born midfielder came through at Leyton Orient before joining Brighton in 2017. He had a loan spell with Swindon Town in 2018-2019 getting seven goal contributions in 26 appearances. Before becoming a squad player for Brighton over the next two seasons collecting 24 Premier League appearances.

He then got sent out on loan to Standard Liege for two seasons. In Belgium, he managed 44 appearances over the two seasons getting five goals and nine assists for Liege.

On his return to England he left Brighton and moved to Humberside. Last season he made 28 Championship appearances contributing one assist. It is worth mentioning most of his appearances came following Sellés’ appointment. He plays predominantly as a defensive midfielder.

Statistically

Statistically he had a pass accuracy of 85.5% placing him in the 72nd percentile of Championship midfielders. Although his long ball accuracy of 45.9% suggests he is more prone to successful short passes.

He is very good on the ball and defensively. With a dribble success rate of 78.9% placing him in the 94th percentile for Championship players in his position.

Defensively, he has a tackles won % of 67.6%, duels won % of 67.2% and an aerial duels won of 60.8% placing him among the best defensive midfielders in the division for all three. Plus, his duels won percentage places him in the 100th percentile.

In terms of defensive stats per 90 in his 28 games compared to Vinicius Souza’s 35. Alzate beats Souza on all defensive stats apart from successful tackles per 90 where Souza win on 2.35 to 2.31.

With Alzate beating Souza for blocks, clearances, headed clearances, interceptions and possession won in final third per 90. Although it is worth noting that playing in a relegation threatened side Alzate would have more defensive work to complete per 90.

He is however a better dribbler than Souza completing 1.39 successful dribbles per 90 compared to Souza’s 0.9. They also have the same output with 1 assist. Souza gained a FotMob rating of 7.31 last season whilst Alzate collected 7.25.

Alzate could be a great cheaper replacement for Souza should an offer come in for the Brazilian. But it’s worth noting the Mirror Football report also linked Alzate with Valencia.

Charlie Savage

Another player who has been linked with the Blades recently. Savage was brilliant for Reading last season.

The headline stats are his 14 goal contributions in 45 League One games. The five goals and nine assists came in 3,500 minutes played. This is important as availability is something Sheffield United are crying out for. With the unfortunate time spent on the sidelines by Souza, Tom Davies and Ollie Arblaster last season.

Savage began the season strongly under Sellés and continued his fine form after his departure in December.

His nine assists came from an expected assists of 4.54. This means that Savage outperformed his statistical creativity meaning more clinical passing. Plus, his teammates were likely finishing chances more clinically than expected.

Statistically

Playing predominantly as a central midfielder, Savage had a pass accuracy of 79.9% placing him in the average range of the 66th percentile. His long ball accuracy of 38% places him in the 43rd percentile. Although he did make 90 accurate long balls last season putting him among the best in League One for most accurate long balls made. This means he is a player willing to be progressive with the ball and take risks to get the team forward.

Defensively, Savage won 74.3% of his tackles last season placing him in the 90th percentile for League One midfielders. Although, his duels won and aerial duels won 43.6% and 34.6% put him among the lower end in the division.

Ultimately, at 22, Savage and his availability to play could make him a brilliant squad option. If he is ready to take the step up to the Championship. Plus, with last season’s high number of loans, permanent squad players are a necessity.

Tyler Bindon

Tyler Bindon’s parent club is Nottingham Forest. But he came through Reading’s academy and into the first team under Ruben Sellés. He joined Forest in February 2025 and was loaned back to the Royals for the remainder of last season.

At just 20, Bindon is a full New Zealand international with 20 appearances and three goals to his name. Bare in mind, he’s a centre-back.

In his first full season under Sellés, Bindon made 44 appearances in all competitions, getting two goals and one assist in the league.

Last season, partly with Sellés, Bindon managed 47 total appearances including 44 starts in the league. This time getting three goals including one against Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup.

Statistically

Bindon is a threat in the opposition’s box despite being a defender generating 3.5 xG last season. With 12 of his 25 shots coming from headers imagine the damage he could do with Harrison Burrows’ deliveries.

He has also an impressive pass accuracy of 81.5% and can dribble out from the back successfully. With a dribble success of 68.8%.

Defensively, he won 71% of his aerial duels and 68.2% of his duels generally. At 6ft 3, he could offer the Blades some of the aerial presence sadly lacking since Harry Souttar left.

With him completing his deal to Nottingham Forest, a loan move would be most likely. But it may suit him to get some Championship experience under his belt. As he seems to have become too good for League One.

Charlie Hughes

Hughes is another centre-back but this time from Hull. Hughes, 21, played 27 times for Hull City in the Championship last season. He managed one goal and one assist.

It was his first season with Hull after joining from Wigan Athletic. But not his first season in the Championship having played 20 times for the Latics in 2022-2023.

Statistically

When comparing Hughes statistically with Anel Ahmedhodzic, the defensive stats favour Hughes per 90. Again remembering that Hughes playing further down the table will lead to more defensive action. But, even still, Hughes beats Ahmedhodzic for most of them.

The most impressive being his clearances per 90 (6.13) compared to Ahmedhodzic with 4.91 per 90.

His headed clearances, interceptions and blocks per 90 are also slightly better than Ahmedhodzic’s. Although, Ahmedhodzic has more successful tackles per 90 (1.23) compared to Hughes with just 0.69.

Interestingly, Hughes has better on the ball stats. Three times higher successful dribbles per 90 at 0.42 compared to Ahmedhodzic at 0.14. Plus a better long ball accuracy of 3.49 to Ahmedhodzic’s 1.44.

Ultimately, if Ahmedhodzic is to stay or go, the Blades are light in the centre of defence. With far worse options available to them than Charlie Hughes.

Moussa Djenepo

(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

This one is admittedly. Ambitious. But could happen. If the AI’s GPS heads towards Turkey. Moussa Djenepo played for Southampton under Sellés. It would be rude not to include a Saints player on the list and the Blades need wingers. Plus, he’s a versatile, he can play wing-back.

Now, 27, Djenepo is a Standard Liege player. He has spent last season on loan in Turkey with Antalyaspor.

Last season he managed 2 goals in 11 starts making a total of 23 league appearances in Turkey. But what he lacks in goal contributions, he makes up for in skill. Completing 48 successful dribbles and winning 34 fouls. Importantly, those fouls led to two penalties being awarded. At the lower level of the Championship and a bit of freedom, Djenepo could fly as a Blade.

He was also pretty good defensively winning 64.3% of his tackles. Plus, being in the 83rd percentile for his duels won.

If the Blades play Djenepo as a left-winger it is likely his output will increase. Plus, he scored an incredible solo goal against us at Bramall Lane. Leaving, Norwood, Egan and O’Connell in his wake. He already has form at the Lane.

Takeaways

It will be interesting to see who Sellés and the new recruitment strategy bring into the Lane this summer. Although, he could do with looking back at his previous roles for inspiration. As there are certainly excellent players available.

Whilst, the likes of Ward-Prowse and Che Adams may currently be out of reach for the Blades. Any of these five could make excellent additions to a Blades squad in need of a second rebuild in as many seasons. Especially given the amount of loanees who have departed.