Paul Heckingbottom outlines key reason for Sheffield United transfer strategy

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has said the club’s focus on the long term as part of their transfer strategy is because they don’t want to be left behind by their rivals, making this admission to The Star.

The Blades’ strategy for this term has been very much focused on the short term, with the club leaving it late in the summer to recruit four loanees as they sought to fill gaps in their side created by departures at the end of last term.

Free agent Adlene Guedioura also joined last year to provide depth in a midfield that looked especially threadbare following the departure of John Lundstram on the expiration of his contract at Bramall Lane.

And that short-term focus was maintained in January with Adam Davies coming in to replace Robin Olsen and Michael Verrips – and centre-back Charlie Goode arrived on loan to provide depth in a defence that was severely lacking depth following their switch to a back three during the latter stages of 2021.

Injury problems with Goode out and Basham also absent for a considerable amount of time before his return meant they re-entered the market to recruit Filip Uremovic until the end of the season, something that was made possible by a FIFA rule that allowed non-Russian players in Russia to suspend their contracts after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

They did purchase 19-year-old Joe Starbuck from Grimbsy Town last September though, with the teenager being called up to the first-team squad on two occasions despite not yet making his senior debut for the Blades.

Focusing on the bigger picture is something Heckingbottom wants to do at Bramall Lane with his transfer strategy, explaining his thinking to the Sheffield Star.

He said: “Sometimes, you’re looking at a particular