Sheffield United must get it right this summer to tackle the Championship

After last Saturday’s 5-1 defeat away at Newcastle we now know that Sheffield United will be playing Championship football next season.

The Blades may have a whole new look to their squad after the summer rebuild with 13 players presumably out of contract, per Transfermarkt, as well as the four loan players going back to their parent clubs. Additionally, Cameron Archer will reportedly be bought back by Aston Villa this summer.

So that’s as many as 18 players who could see the exit door come the end of the season, which leaves a gigantic rebuilding operation for Chris Wilder and his all new recruitment team to get right.

Chris Wilder’s legacy at United started all the way back to the summer of 2016 when he faced a similar sized rebuild. And from there the Blades have never looked back; winning League One, and within three seasons Sheffield United were back in the big time after achieving automatic promotion from the Championship.

But this summer is arguably the most important transfer window in the club’s history because if it goes wrong, all the hard work that’s gone into the past eight years could all be undone.

Who Sheffield United could be facing in the Championship next season?

It’s now looking like we will have to endure the Steel City derby next term, unless Birmingham City can beat Norwich City and Plymouth Argyle can beat Hull City, as well as Sunderland beating Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light.

Fellow Yorkshire sides Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United have both been relegated to League One.

While at the top end of the table, Leicester City have already confirmed in the Premier League next season, while Ipswich Town and Leeds United are battling it out for the final automatic spot.

Meanwhile Southampton patiently wait in fourth place for the PlayOff games to commence. Fifth place Norwich City too. But West Bromwich Albion will be biting their finger nails on the last day of the season as they could end up missing out on the PlayOffs if they lose to Preston North End and Hull City beat Plymouth Argyle.

As things stand, Ipswich Town would be playing West Brom in the PlayOff Semi-Finals, while Southampton would be playing Norwich City in the other tie.

How to buy tickets to the Championship PlayOff Final.

As far as Sheffield United are concerned, the word “PlayOffs” sends a shiver down every Unitedites spine having failed to win promotion in all eight of their PlayOff campaigns despite getting to the final four times.