"Difficult decisions have to be made" - Pundit reacts to big Sheffield United exit | OneFootball

After six years as a Sheffield United player, Ollie Norwood will leave Bramall Lane this summer upon the expiration of his contract.

Norwood joined the club from Brighton in 2018, initially on loan, before earning a permanent deal and helping the club win promotion to the Premier League on two occasions, playing three seasons of Premier League football too.

But with his contract up this summer, the 33-year-old will move on as Chris Wilder looks to freshen the squad up as they return to the Championship.

This means that the Blades are losing over 1,000 appearances worth of experience this summer, and it feels like the start of a new era at Bramall Lane.

Carlton Palmer on Ollie Norwood leaving Sheffield United

Former England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer believes that it would have been a tough decision for Chris Wilder to get rid of Ollie Norwood, but that the Blades boss is looking towards the future.

Palmer said exclusively to FLW: "One of those players who has been a stalwart for the last six years and has not had his contract renewed is Ollie Norwood.

“It’s very difficult this one, at times Norwood wore the captain’s armband this season and made 27 appearances in the top-flight, but Chris Wilder has said that he needs to make brave decisions, and to get players out.

"They’re going to be hampered by financial fair play for next season, so that might have an impact on Sheffield United’s decision to let him go, and also Chris Wilder has talked about the need to freshen things up for next season."

Palmer believes that Wilder has had to make some difficult decisions to put the club's best interests at heart, such as having to get rid of players who have served them so well over the years.

Palmer said: “It’s a big job to be done before the summer, and there are some difficult decisions that need to be made.

"He’s probably looking at Norwood’s age at 33, which isn’t a problem to me as long as he’s fit, and he’s ready to go, but difficult decisions have to be made, and I’m sure Chris Wilder would have sat down with the staff and the board, and they have a clear vision of what they’re looking for next season, and what they need to do to be in the mix for automatic promotion.

“That is what Chris Wilder and the football club will be attempting to do next season, but there’s a big overhaul needed at the club, and some difficult decisions have to be made."

“Chris has probably looked at Ollie’s age and thinking would he be someone they’d want to keep if they won promotion to the Premier League, and maybe he’s making way so he can bring in some younger players so that they don’t have to make wholesale changes again if they win promotion."

Ollie Norwood shouldn't struggle to find a new club this summer

Given his vast experience at both Premier League and Championship level, Ollie Norwood probably won't be shy of offers.

He may not be able to command a Premier League move, but he will certainly pique the interest of Championship clubs, and you'd have thought that Norwood would improve the midfield of most of the sides in the division.

You can understand why the Blades have parted ways with Norwood, with this summer probably the perfect time to do so with his contract up and the club being relegated.

However, the Northern Irish international will be out to make Sheffield United regret their decision next season, and at 33, there's no reason why he can't continue to perform over the course of the next few seasons.