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Profit Players: Sheffield United signing George Baldock for £666,000 proved a bargain
This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.
Back in 2017, Sheffield United picked up defender George Baldock for £666,000, per Transfermarkt. The player came from MK Dons where he had managed 125 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing eight assists along the way.
Until his move to the Blades, he never played above League One, but he became one of the first names on the team sheet at Bramall Lane as he made 61 appearances in the two seasons the club were in the Championship, per Transfermarkt. He clearly adapted well to moving up a division, and then when the club got promoted last season to the Premier League he was presented with the daunting task of trying to adapt to another higher level than he was used to.
However he has taken to the top flight like a duck to water. Prior to their game against Leicester, he has played in all 35 Premier League games so far his season and has been crucial to the Blades excellent league standing (BBC Sport).
Alongside the 13 clean sheets that he has helped the club keep in the top flight this season, per Transfermarkt, Baldock has also picked up two goals and four assists, highlighting that he plays his part both at the back and going forward.
Clearly he is useful at both ends of the pitch and he was praised by ex-player Garth Crooks for his goal against Norwich this season. Indeed, the pundit even compared the full-back to the great George Best. He said: “I wasn’t sure if it was George Baldock or George Best! I thought I was seeing things when I saw Baldock drag the ball back, pirouette and strike a glorious shot past Tim Krul. The finish – not to mention the skill – was superb along with Sheffield United’s performance.”
Clearly he has been a great signing for the Blades and this is further emphasised by the fact that he now has a market value of £4.32 million, which is a £3.66 million increase on the fee they paid MK Dons.
All of this shows that Chris Wilder picked up a bargain a few years ago and at 27-years-old, Baldock may yet get even better in the coming years.
Blades fans, how good has Baldock been for you? Let us know down below!
