Championship clubs queuing up for left-back who could leave the Blades on a free | OneFootball

The Blades could be left without a single natural left-back heading into the summer transfer window as both Max Lowe and Rhys Norrington-Davies are entering the final weeks of their Sheffield United contracts.

The pair have featured just 16 times between them in all competitions due to countless injury problems plaguing the left-wingback position across this bitterly disappointing Premier League campaign.

It is now being reported by Football Insider that 27-year-old Max Lowe is on the shortlist of multiple Championship clubs.

Sheffield United left-wingback Rhys Norrington-Davies suffered another serious injury against Luton Town as the Blades beat the Hatters at Kenilworth Road.

The Blades are lacking depth at left-wingback

Lowe and Norrington-Davies’ injury troubles forced Sheffield United to lean on the on-loan Troyes defender Yasser Larouci, however he has proven to be far below the standards of the top-flight and it’s highly unlikely the Blades will exercise their option to sign the Algerian international permanently.

Additionally, versatile midfielder Ben Osborn, who has had to fill in down the left side of the defence, is also out of contract this summer. But, the player wants to extend his stay at Bramall Lane, and Chris Wilder seems keen on triggering his one-year contract option in his current deal.

Nevertheless, the Blades are seriously short on numbers down the left and this summer does indeed feel like the summer where they must address this by signing a standout and dependable left-wingback – something they have not had since the prime years of Enda Stevens a few years ago.

Ben Osborn has been forced to play on the left side of the defence due to Sheffield United’s lack of depth in that position.

My opinion

In my opinion, extending the contracts of both Lowe and Norrington-Davies is not the answer. This isn’t just an opinion based on this season; Lowe has missed 42 league games over the past campaigns for United. Meanwhile, Norrington-Davies has missed 63 league games. To extend two injury-prone players that have missed 105 league games between them in the past two seasons would be very irresponsible in my view.

One could argue that it seems harsh, especially on Norrington-Davies, but Sheffield United cannot afford to keep undependable players in the squad on a decent wage in the Championship. You’ve got to add value to the squad in terms of playing time and quality, and for my view they have proven they just aren’t capable of doing that.

If it was a case of keeping one, I think most fans would keep the Welsh international as Norrington-Davies has proven he is capable of playing on the left of a back three – which is arguably his best position – although susceptible when playing against tall and physical forwards.

The club have to invest in the left-wingback position this summer. Harrison Burrows would be the perfect player to invest in given he is 22 and has displayed his qualities since breaking into the Peterborough United first-team as a teenager. He should not cost a large fee considering he will be in his final 12 months of his contract if the Posh exercise their option to extend by a further year this summer.