Sheffield United brought in Dutch forward Richairo Zivkovic on loan in the January transfer window, but his lack of match fitness as well as recent events has seen him only play twice this season. Due to this, Chris Wilder is still deciding on the future of Zivkovic and whether he is in the plans of the Premier League side.
According to Yorkshire Live, Wilder is hopeful that the 23 year-old could return to the Blades next season. The manager spoke out on the matter and said, “It’s moving all the time, it was a loan with a view and still is, so there is conversations to have in terms of structure.
“We have got a basic idea of where we want to improve and what we need to do, in terms of reflection so far in our season, players that are potentially going to go out, players that we are going to release, other boys that we have offered new contracts to.
“Richairo is here for the next month and we will see where it goes from there.”
Even though Zivkovic has only featured twice for United, he is only 23 and has a very decent goal record elsewhere as he has managed 94 strikes in 254 appearances, per Transfermarkt. He also has been noticed by his nation as he managed four goals in nine appearances for the Dutch U21 side and if he can start performing in England’s top flight he could break into the Netherlands team.
Sheffield United recently let Panos Retsos return back to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, showing that Wilder clearly didn’t fancy the player since he joined on loan in January. The fact that he didn’t do the same with Zivkovic suggests the ex-Northampton boss sees potential in the forward, and supporters will trust the manager that has guided them from League One to a mid table Premier League side, so if he keeps the striker, it will bode well for the club.
It is good that he has not let him go yet, as the strikers at the club have only managed 14 goals between four of them. With Billy Sharp noe 34, Wilder will need someone to replace him in the coming years and he could see Zivkovic as that player.
Blades fans, what are your thoughts on this? Comment below!
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