Sheffield United won't be ruing double transfer exit involving Celtic and Leeds United | OneFootball

Sheffield United have replaced Auston Trusty and Jayden Bogle superbly.

Sheffield United fans will be delighted with the start their side have made in the 2024-25 season as they once again seem primed for a tilt at promotion.

Currently, the Blades sit second in the table with 31 points, trailing Sunderland only on goal difference. However, they do have a large chasing pack behind them, with their closest rivals being Leeds United and Burnley.

The Blades have been in brilliant form recently as they have managed to pick up four league wins in a row. They will be desperate to continue this post-international break with key fixtures against the likes of Coventry City, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.

To sustain their impressive form, the Blades will need their defence to remain solid. This season, they have conceded just seven goals, with the revamped back four of Harrison Burrows, Harry Souttar, Anel Ahmedhodzic, and Alfie Gilchrist earning widespread praise for their performances.

This is a stark contrast to last season, when Sheffield United endured a torrid defensive year, conceding 104 goals in the Premier League – a current top-tier record. In response, Chris Wilder made significant changes to the backline, with the sales of Auston Trusty to Celtic and Jayden Bogle to Leeds.

While some at the club thought they might struggle without these names, that hasn't been the case and Wilder has been justified in his decision-making.

Sheffield United don't miss Bogle or Trusty

Bogle and Trusty certainly would have had the ability to have a strong year for the Blades, but cashing in on them looks like an astute move.

Sheffield United signed Bogle in 2020, but despite his promise at Derby County, he never quite lived up to expectations, so when Leeds made a £5 million offer, selling him was a sensible decision.

Similarly, despite bringing Trusty in to strengthen their Premier League challenge last year, he never reached the level that had earned him recognition at Arsenal. As a result, selling him to Celtic for £6 million has proven to be a pragmatic move so far and meant that he generated the club some much-needed funds.

While the pair of them have been superb at their new teams, for one reason or another it feels like Sheffield United are in a better position without them. The money that they provided allowed the Blades board to fund moves for Michael Cooper and Burrows, who have both been unbelievable since making the move to Yorkshire.

These deals look even better when you consider that the combined cost of both players was the same as the £5 million fee Leeds paid for Bogle.

Outside of that, the loan additions of Souttar and Gilchrist have made them incredibly strong at the back, and it is feasible that United could go chasing permanent deals for either of these defenders in the future.

Sheffield United's defence could be the key to promotion

Wilder will know that, while his attack boasts dynamic players like Gustavo Hamer and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, it is his defence that will ultimately get the team out of trouble when needed.

10 clean sheets in 15 games is a stellar record, and if they can continue this form they will almost certainly be near automatic promotion.

At present, all of their back four are averaging over a seven rating on FotMob, but the standout has been Harrison Burrows at left-back. The 23-year-old signed from Peterborough United in the summer is currently the highest-rated player in the Championship with an average match rating of 7.63 and has been creative whilst remaining resolute in defence.

His attacking presence takes the pressure off Gilchrist at right-back, as the Chelsea loanee is seen more as a natural defender.