Sheffield United are closing in on another signing

According to The Star, Sheffield United are close to securing the signature of Peterborough United star Harrison Burrows. The 22-year-old left-back is due to undergo a medical at the Blades next week.

Burrows has been a hot topic on United’s social media and rightly so. Burrows was a standout performer for the Posh, making 185 appearances for Peterborough United, scoring 20 goals and providing 40 assists. He was named League One Player of the Year last season after an incredible return of 12 goals and 14 assists in all competitions last term.

The last 24 hours have been slightly worrying for the Blades after they lost another senior right-back for contractual reasons; Sheffield United have been forced to sell right-back Jayden Bogle to Leeds United with just 12 months left on his contract.

Chris Wilder has gone from having two top right-backs in the Championship in Jayden Bogle and George Baldock to now only having unproven youngsters Femi Seriki and Sam Curtis in that position.

For the past four years, the right side of defense has been a strength of the Blades, but now that has dissolved. However, it seems that that incredible balance and depth has now shifted to the left. United already have Sam McCallum and Rhys Norrington-Davies at left-back, with Auston Trusty as emergency cover if needed. But the marquee in that position will undoubtedly be Burrows.

Burrows got a taste of Championship football as a teenager for the Posh, where he provided an excellent attack for one of the weaker sides in the division in the 2021/22 campaign. He scored three goals and provided seven assists.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: Darren Ferguson and Harrison Burrows of Peterborough United celebrate with the Bristol Street Motors Trophy after the team’s victory during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Final between Peterborough United and Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley Stadium on April 07, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

In terms of assists per 90 minutes, Burrows is in the 97th percentile for full-backs in League One. He also excels in other offensive metrics, ranking in the 96th percentile for key passes per game, 94th for crosses per game and an impressive 99th for progressive passes per game.

Burrows shows more of his offensive prowess by ranking 84th in touches inside the opposition penalty area, 85th in shots per 90 minutes and 81st in goals per game from a full-back position.

The young left-back has consistently shown his durability and reliability, featuring at least 37 times in each of his last three league campaigns. Something we can’t say, unfortunately, about McCallum and Norrington-Davies.

In the last quarter, Peterborough United led League One in passes per possession, using a slow and methodical attacking style. They ranked in the top four in attacking speed, reflecting their deliberate approach to the game.

Defensively, there was a stark contrast between the way Peterborough and the Blades played in the final quarter. Sheffield United typically deployed a very low block, while Peterborough preferred a mid-block strategy. However, this defensive set-up is likely to change for the Blades in the Championship given the difference in quality of opposition they will face.

It will be interesting to see how a more possession-oriented player steps right into a team that was used to playing from the back to the front quite quickly last season.

If the Blades manage to beat this bid then I will be extremely happy and impressed with the club. Back in May, we wrote an opinion piece: Sheffield United must sign this outstanding defender this summer – we stated that we would have a player we could rely on to not only play the majority of league games, but one who can bring empty luggage. contributions. And we are so close to securing that confidence figure.