Sheffield United news LIVE: Blades ‘borrow money from bank against Bramall Lane & assets’ | Chris Wilder’s big selection dilemma ahead of Wolves | Sander Berge on Premier League intensity

Last updated: Monday, 06 July, 2020, 16:45

  • Chris Wilder spoke to the media this afternoon
  • The Blades boss says he has a big selection dilemma to make
  • Sander Berge believes he is coping better with intensity of Premier League
  • The Blades drew 1-1 at Burnley yesterday
  • Jack O’Connell came off the bench after recovering from a knee injury and is now in contention for a start against Wolves on Wednesday
  • Blades have borrowed money from Emirates Bank, secured against Bramall Lane and the club’s other properties 

Blades ‘borrow from Emirates Bank against stadium’

Respected finance pundit Kieran Maguire is reporting that the Blades have “borrowed money from Emirates Bank who now have a mortgage against the stadium and other club assets”.

United, of course, recently had to complete the purchase of the Bramall Lane stadium and other assets from former owner Kevin McCabe, after his bitter High Court battle against Prince Abdullah went the way of the Saudi prince. 

‘Wolves seek clearance to play £17m international against Blades’

Wolves have asked the Premier League for special dispensation to clear Daniel Podence for the game against the Blades on Wednesday night, reports the Daily Telegraph.

According to the paper, the £17m midfielder attended a personal issue in Portugal last week and has been self-isolating since arriving back in England.

Sports team involved in elite sport will be exempt from the 14-day quaratine rule, the government announced last week, and the Molineux club is hopeful he will be cleared to play.

Wilder on Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo

“I have a lot of respect for him, always have a drink after. His team play fabulous football. He doesn’t moan as much as I do about decisions, he’s not an edgy northerner he’s nice and chilled, has some fabulous players, we get talked about having mostly British players, because they’re the players I know. Nuno has mostly Portuguese players because they’re the ones he knows well and it’s going to be a hell of a challenge on Wednesday night.”

Berge on intensity of Premier League

“I watched the Premier League since I was young so I knew it was physical but playing defensive midfield in Belgium in a side which had 65 per cent possession to playing box-to-box in Premier League which is much more demanding is a huge change. As a holding midfielder I had the game in front of me but I have only played two months Premier League football and eight-nine games, I have been patient and knew I would pick up the pace and get in the game more and more. I am finding my role better and the more game time you get, you read the game better with your teammates. ”

Sander Berge: “I’m getting up to speed”

“I’m gradually getting up to to speed and where I want to be. Lockdown was a tough time for the world but I saw it as an opportunity to improve my physical levels. I struggled with playing 60 minutes when I arrived but I have seen a huge difference. When you can handle that intensity you can bring out more qualities and make a difference in the game and that’s been important for me. We could have performed better in the first three games and we looked suddenly terrible and I don’t think we were at all.”

Wilder on O’Connell and Robinson selection dilemma

“They’ve put themselves in a brilliant position, I saw a lot of them in the Championship. They were always a Premier League club in waiting but still had to put in the performances on the pitch and they did. They added to the squad again and I’m not surprised that they’re up there again. A really powerful football club at the moment in the Premier League.”

Wilder: “We’ll need to be at our best against Wolves”

 Speaking at his pre-match press conference today, he said: “Anything would have been an improvement from Old Trafford but we showed signs against Arsenal, took it on a step against Spurs and took four points from two games against Burnley, which was a good effort. We’ll need to be at our best against Wolves on Wednesday.”

Chris Wilder’s press conference

is about to start so stay with us as we bring you the latest team news and big talking points ahead of the Wolves clash on Wednesday.

Could Rodwell be set to feature more often?

‘No Sheffield United player would get in the Tottenham team’

Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood has been on the radio this morning bemoaning the form of his old club. And in having a swipe at the way Jose Mourinho’s team are playing, he used Sheffield United as an example.

Now, Sherwood was being complimentary about the Blades and their team ethic, but he did say something that will cause quite a debate.

Sherwood said that not a single Blades player would get into Tottenham’s squad.

He told Talksport: “It’s not about individual players, we saw that when they went up to Sheffield United. Not one Sheffield United player, with respect, could get into the Tottenham squad. Jose wouldn’t be in the market to go and get any of their players. I think he’d be quite open to saying that. 

“But it’s not about the individual, it’s about the collective, it’s about the team. Chris WIlder is knitting that group together and they are playing like a fantastic team with a way of playing and they are getting the job done.

“On the contrast, I’m sitting there waiting when I’m watching Tottenham for Harry Kane or Son to do something special for them to win a fotball match. It can’t be like that.”

Warnock on Ravel Morrison

Neil Warnock has been speaking about Blades midfielder Ravel Morrison, whom he has taken charge of since accepting a rescue mission at Middlesbrough.

Morrison is on loan at the Riverside from United but has made just a handful of appearances for Boro. Warnock, though, brought the enigmatic former Manchester United man into the starting XI against QPR on Sunday.

Ravel Morrison is on loan at Middlesbrough from Sheffield United

“I actually had a chat with him yesterday about certain things,” Warnock told Hartlepool Mail. “He has a big decision in his life to make I think in the next six months.

“Somebody with that ability shouldn’t be messing about from club to club should he. When I look at (Adel) Taarabt who I had at QPR it was a similar situation.

“I don’t think his ability is in question, I think Ravel has got to brush up on other parts because it would be a waste if he couldn’t get a regular place somewhere and display his ability, within a team structure not just as an individual.

“Before the end of the campaign if I can give him an opportunity I will do but Ravel has to do it himself.”

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