Sheffield United hit the jackpot with £4m Brentford raid: View | OneFootball

The 2023/24 Premier League campaign may have been a bitterly disappointing one for Sheffield United, but they'll be confident of pushing for promotion next season in the Championship.

The Blades have been there and done that, and have won promotion from the Championship twice since 2019, so they possess a squad full of players that know how to win promotion.

One of these players who has experienced promotion twice with the Blades is Republic of Ireland centre-back John Egan. The 31-year-old joined the club six years ago in the summer of 2018, and has been part of a Sheffield United side that has experienced some real success in recent years.

Egan has proved an inspired signing, but with his deal set to expire at Bramall Lane this summer, it remains to be seen if the Irish international will still be a Blade in the Championship next season.

Sheffield United hit the jackpot in their deal for John Egan

John Egan had been impressive during his time with Brentford, so much so that the Blades forked out a then club record fee of £4million to bring him to Bramall Lane in 2018.

Egan had skippered Brentford under Dean Smith, and was proven to be a quality player at Championship level, so it looked a real coup for the Blades, and so it proved.

It was actually the Irishman's second stint at Sheffield United, as he'd made one appearance for the club in 2012 whilst on loan from Sunderland, but he was certainly a different player this time around.

He made his second debut for the club in August 2018 against Swansea City, and he'd go onto make 44 league starts for the club that season as Chris Wilder led the Blades to a shock Premier League promotion.

His first season at the club went better than anyone could have expected, and he continued to thrive in the Premier League.

He started 36 of the club's 38 Premier League games during the 2019/20 campaign, helping the club to a remarkable ninth place finish.

It quickly became apparent that the £4million they had paid for him was a steal, and despite relegation from the Premier League in 2021, Egan continued to perform well.

He started all 48 of Sheffield United's league and play-off games during the 2021/22 season, an incredible achievement which just highlighted his fitness and availability.

He helped lead the club to promotion the following season, skippering the club on a regular basis as Paul Heckingbottom's side returned to the top-flight after a two-year absence.

Whilst this season has been disappointing for the Irishman, who has been ruled out by injury since September, he has been a fantastic signing for the Blades, and supporters will be hoping this summer isn't goodbye.

Keeping John Egan for next season makes sense

It's unfortunate for John Egan that he's missed nearly the whole season through injury in a year where he's out of contract.

Given his side have been relegated, surely it makes sense to keep the Irishman at the club this summer, even if only a short-term deal, so that the club have some much-needed experience on their books next season.

As someone who has won promotion to the Premier League twice, he's the perfect player to have in your squad if you're serious about making a return to the top-flight at the first attempt.

Given his injury woes this season, Egan is unlikely to be able to command a huge wage, and would potentially sign a new deal on less money.

Perhaps the Blades' management might look to freshen the squad up and bring down its age, but clubs chasing promotion need a couple of experienced players like Egan on their books to help lead the squad.