“I don’t understand" - Reaction given as Sheffield United let Ben Osborn leave for Derby County | OneFootball

The midfielder has secured a move to the Rams after departing Bramall Lane this summer

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ben Osborn has become the latest player to depart Bramall Lane this summer, with the versatile midfielder leaving the Blades to join Derby County last week.

The Derby-born star made 134 appearances for the Steel City side over his five-year association with the club, before being released after Premier League relegation in May.

The 29-year-old has since signed a two-year deal with his hometown club this summer, as he joins Paul Warne’s Rams side upon their return to the second tier.

Many at Bramall Lane will be left wondering just why Osborn has been shown the door as Chris Wilder’s side adapt to life back in the Football League, just like our resident Sheffield United fan pundit, Owain Wyse.

Ben Osborn makes Derby County move after Sheffield United departure

Osborn’s dependability made him a regular player in a number of positions during his time with the Blades, with his versatility offering Wilder the perfect utility man whenever he needed to be called upon.

Although he was never a regular in the starting lineup during his time in Yorkshire, Osborn’s reliability from the bench saw him feature in 61 Premier League games for the club he departed earlier this summer, as well as 20 matches in their 22/23 Championship promotion campaign.

Over the course of a long, hard second tier slog, a player who can fill the gaps that injuries and suspensions bring cannot be undervalued, and Blades fan Owain believes the midfielder’s absence could be felt during the upcoming campaign.

Speaking to FLW, Wyse said: “I’m disappointed that Ben Osborn has gone, I feel like he’s a player that is an asset to any team.

“By no means is he anywhere near the most-talented or gifted football at the club, but his work-rate, determination and adaptability is something to be admired.

“I’m convinced whatever position you tell him to play in, there would be no complaint from him whatsoever, and he’d give it everything he has got.”

Ben Osborn joins mass Sheffield United summer upheaval as legends depart Bramall Lane

Osborn isn’t the only popular face to be leaving Bramall Lane this summer, with Blades boss Wilder waving goodbye to a number of trusty steeds once the previous season came to a close.

The Steel City side have already parted ways with stalwarts Chris Basham and Oli Norwood this summer, as well as George Baldock, Wes Foderingham [pictured] and Max Lowe.

That leaves Wilder the task of rebuilding his United squad ahead of the season beginning next month, and further highlights the decision to let Osborn go in Wyse’s eyes.

The Blades fan continued: “I don’t understand letting him go, with the squad in the position it is in, he covers at least three or four positions, and now we’re going to have to sign players to replace him in all of those roles.

“He’s a model professional and a player I’ve grown to really, really like. I think he’ll be a huge boost to Derby and I wish him all the best.”

It won’t be all that long before Blades fans get to see Osborn back at Bramall Lane, with Derby set to travel to Yorkshire on September 21st, with United hoping the midfielder doesn’t come back to haunt his former side upon his return.