Sheffield United backed over Michael Cooper succession plan - only if the "worst happens" though | OneFootball

Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper is attracting Premier League interest, but there is a potential replacement, should he be tempted away.

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…

Sheffield United are urged to consider the Wigan Athletic and England under-21 goalkeeper, Sam Tickle, should they lose their current first choice, Michael Cooper, to the Premier League.

The Blades narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2024-25 season, and there have already been big changes at Bramall Lane this summer, including the replacement of Chris Wilder as head coach, with Ruben Selles stepping in.

But one of the big question marks that has started to form around the club this summer has concerned the future of goalkeeper Cooper, who has been attracting the interest of Premier League clubs, including West Ham United and Everton.

Everton had indicated that they were prepared to pay £5 million for the goalkeeper, but recent reports have indicated that United are looking for a minimum of £15 million for him. It remains to be seen whether any clubs match their valuation for the player. The Sheffield Star has reported that Tickle has admirers at Bramall Lane and could make a move for him should Cooper be sold.

Sheffield United urged to move for Tickle should Michael Cooper be tempted away

With all of this in mind, Football League World have spoken to our resident Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy to get his assessment of the situation.

Jimmy is enthusiastic about Tickle. "I like Sam Tickle. I think he's a good goalkeeper," he told us. "He's young, he's got plenty of potential, and the ability to develop. I wouldn't be upset with Sam Tickle coming in at all."

He doesn't, however, feel that Cooper will be easy to replace: "We have to be true to ourselves, and he's no Michael Cooper. Michael Cooper, I believe, is the best goalkeeper in the division, and he'll be very, very difficult to replace. In fact, I don't think we'd be able to replace him with someone of the same calibre."

But Jimmy did also feel that this shouldn't be anything for Blades fans to be concerned over: "Anyway, it's nothing to worry about because Michael Cooper isn't going anywhere. We would be ridiculous to sell him, so it's not even worth a conversation, but yes, Sam Tickle would be on my list should the worst happen."

Tickle is highly-rated but Sheffield United don't need to sell Michael Cooper

Sam Tickle is certainly a high-rated goalkeeper. He has been capped by the England under-21s and was last season's EFL League One Goalkeeper of the Year.

Tickle was a product of the Wigan academy who left the club to play non-league football before returning in 2021, spending more time out on loan in the semi-professional game. But for the last two seasons, he's been their first-choice goalkeeper, playing in all 92 of their League matches throughout 2023-24 and 2024-25 .

But Jimmy identifies that Sheffield United shouldn't need to sell him. This is, after all, a club still in receipt of Premier League parachute payments who have the player tied down to a contract. Whether Michael Cooper stays or goes might well come down to whether the goalkeeper wants to step up into the Premier League now or not. If he doesn't, then Blades fans can rest easy. But if he does, they could have a fight on their hands to keep him, if they don't want to sell.