Four Sheffield United signings Wilder managed at other clubs | OneFootball

The signing of Hamza Choudhury yesterday saw Chris Wilder and the Leicester midfielder reunite from their time at Watford together.

Previously, Wilder has signed four players for Sheffield United, which he managed at other clubs. The consensus seems to be that Wilder and Choudhury’s previous working relationship should be beneficial for the Blades. Hopefully, it is.

But how did Wilder’s other previously managed four get on at Bramall Lane?

Jake Wright

The first of Wilder’s former players to join him at the Blades was centre-back Jake Wright. He joined the Blades in Summer 2016.

Wright and Wilder had actually worked with each other on two occasions before. Firstly at Halifax town initially on loan in 2005 and permanently between 2006 and 2008. Wright made a total of 88 appearances for Wilder’s Halifax scoring two goals.

As Wilder moved from National League Halifax to Oxford United, Wright would join him after spells at Crawley Town and Brighton. Wright joined Oxford in 2009 again on an initial loan before signing permanently for the U’s in 2010. Whilst, Wilder had moved to the Kassam Stadium before in 2008.

Wright would be part of Wilder’s Oxford side that won promotion to League Two through the National League playoffs in 2010. He went on to make 278 Oxford appearances and remained at the club for two years after Wilder’s departure to Northampton Town in 2014.

On 9 July 2016, Jake signed for Sheffield United as Chris Wilder’s sixth signing as Blades boss. On signing Wright, Wilder, speaking to club media, said: “This is the third time I have had Jake, I have a great insight into what he is about. I’ve always believed he can play at a higher level.”

Wright would prove Wilder correct, he played 29 times in League One as part of the Blades’ Centurions. As well as 17 times in the first Championship season under Wilder, with the signings of John Egan and Richard Stearman reducing his game time.

He only left the Blades in 2020 after being loaned out to Bolton in the Blades’ first season in the Premier League. Ultimately, Wright’s 52 appearances and rise with the club, even without Premier League appearances, made his signing a useful one.

Clayton Donaldson

(Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

One of the lesser known players to have been managed by Wilder before joining the Blades is Clayton Donaldson. In 2004, a 20-year-old, Donaldson joined Wilder’s Halifax Town on loan.

He played just four times and didn’t score for Halifax in the National League. In fairness to Donaldson he only joined Wilder’s Shaymen on a month-long loan.

On 31 August 2017, Donaldson joined the Blades for an undisclosed fee from Birmingham City. Unlike when signing Jake Wright, Wilder didn’t mention the pairs previous time together when speaking to club media.

Wilder said: “We have watched Clayton a lot. It is clear that he will be a useful addition for us. He offers additional pace and power at the top end of the pitch and Championship experience.”

In his only season at the club, Donaldson contributed five goals and an assist in just 29 games. His just over one goal contribution every five games made Donaldson a dependable striker for United.

On his debut against Sunderland, Donaldson scored a brace in a 2-1 win. Wilder’s comments after the game were interesting given the striker’s inclusion in this article.

Wilder said: “Not bad for 50 grand that, is it? Not bad from Aldi.

“We are delighted to get Clayton he’s a good kid. I’ve tried to sign him enough times I should know about him.”

We’ll forgive you for forgetting the time you shared together in February 2004 Chris.

Ricky Holmes

Chris Wilder always seemed to want to bring Holmes to Bramall Lane. Holmes joined on 15 January 2018 on an undisclosed fee.

Holmes had previously played for Wilder at League Two Northampton Town scoring 16 goals in 53 games. His ability to score goals likely why Wilder was so keen to reunite with the player.

Despite, Wilder’s keenness to bring Holmes to the club, he would only play five times for the Blades in total and be transfer-listed in Summer 2018.

Weirdly he was loaned out to Wilder’s former club Oxford and Gillingham before leaving the Blades to return to Northampton Town.

Ultimately, the initial optimism from all sides on his move to the Blades led to a rather anti-climatic spell.

Enda Stevens

Saving the best until last, Enda Stevens had worked with Chris Wilder at Northampton Town before joining the Blades in May 2017.

Stevens played four times and scored once in League Two whilst on loan at Sixfields from Aston Villa.

Unlike, Donaldson who also played four times for Wilder on loan, Chris mentioned his previous time managing Stevens after signing him for United.

Wilder, speaking to club media, said: “We had Enda at Northampton on loan and it was clear he needed to play regular football.

“He’s done that over the last couple of years and picked up a few honours at Portsmouth. He is an attacking full-back and the way we play, the wide areas are important – Enda provides us with extra options.”

Stevens’ achievements as a Blade speak for themselves. He played 202 times for the club contributing nine goals and 21 assists. He gained two promotions to the Premier League, a ninth placed Premier League finish and had many great moments as a Blade.

Takeaways

Overall, Wilder’s eye for bringing his former players to his boyhood club seems quite reliable. From the heights of Enda Stevens to the dependable and useful additions of Jake Wright and Clayton Donaldson.

Whilst, Ricky Holmes spell at the club is a warning for how it can go wrong for player and club alike. It seems that Hamza Choudhury is in good company and should hopefully have a successful time working with Chris Wilder again.