Sheffield United closing in on another marquee signing | OneFootball

According to The Star, Sheffield United are close to securing the signature of Peterborough United star Harrison Burrows. The 22-year-old left-back is due to undergo a medical with the Blades next week.

Burrows has been a hot topic on United’s social media, and rightly so. Burrows has been a standout performer for the Posh having racked up 185 appearances for Peterborough United, notching 20 goals and 40 assists. He was named League One Player of The Year last season after an incredible return of 12 goals and 14 assists in all competitions last term.

The past 24 hours has been slightly worrying for the Blades after losing another senior right-back due to contract reasons; Sheffield United were forced to sell Championship proven right-back Jayden Bogle to Leeds United with only 12 months left on his deal.

Chris Wilder went from having two top Championship right-backs on the books: Jayden Bogle and George Baldock, to now having only unproven youngsters Femi Seriki and Sam Curtis in that position.

For the last four years the right side of the defence has been a strength of the Blades but now this has dissolved. However, it seems as though that incredible balance and depth has now shifted to the left. United already have Sam McCallum and Rhys Norrington-Davies at left-back, with Auston Trusty as emergency cover if needed. But the marquee signing in that position will undoubtedly be Burrows.

Burrows got a taste of Championship football as a teenager for the Posh where he provided excellent attacking output for one of the weaker sides in the division in the 2021/22 campaign. He netted three goals and served up seven assists.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: Darren Ferguson and Harrison Burrows of Peterborough United celebrate with the Bristol Street Motors Trophy after the team’s victory during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Final between Peterborough United and Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley Stadium on April 07, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

What we can expect from Harrison Burrows throughout his Sheffield United career

In terms of assists per 90 minutes, Burrows ranks in the 97th percentile for full-backs in League One. He also excels in other offensive metrics, ranking in the 96th percentile for key passes per game, 94th for crosses per game, and an impressive 99th for progressive passes per game.

Burrows shows his offensive prowess further by ranking 84th in touches in the opposition penalty area, 85th in shots taken per 90 minutes, and 81st in goals per game from the full-back position.

The young left-back has consistently demonstrated his durability and reliability, featuring at least 37 times in each of his last three league campaigns. Something we cannot unfortunately say about McCallum and Norrington-Davies.

Last term, Peterborough United led League One in the number of passes per possession, employing a slow, methodical style of attack. They ranked in the bottom four in terms of speed of attack, reflecting their deliberate approach to play.

Defensively, there was a stark contrast between how Peterborough and the Blades played last term. Sheffield United typically deployed a very low block, while Peterborough preferred a mid-block strategy. However, this defensive setup is likely to change for the Blades in the Championship, given the difference in the quality of opposition they will face.

My view

It will be interesting to see how a more possession-orientated player slots straight into a team that was used to playing back to front pretty quickly last season.

If the Blades can get this deal over the line then I’ll be extremely happy and impressed by the club. Back in May I wrote an opinion piece: Sheffield United must sign this standout defender this summer – I stated that we will have a player we can rely on to not only play the majority of league games, but one that can get bags full of goal contributions. And we’re so close to securing that dependable figure.