Sheffield United have linked up with a seven-cap Colombian midfielder

Sheffield United are interested in signing former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Steven Alzate, according to AS Colombia.

The 25-year-old was released at the end of his contract this month and now the former Seagulls player is weighing up his options ahead of the new season in August.

Colombia international Alzate spent the last two campaigns on loan at Belgian First Division side Standard Liege where he made a total of 54 appearances, providing nine assists and five goals.

Sheffield United are in desperate need of players and fast, the club are facing the biggest squad rebuild and transfer window in the club’s history. Getting it wrong this summer will be catastrophic and could undo all the hard work that has gone into a successful spell since the start of the 2016/17 campaign.

Even if a takeover happens, the Blades should shop the free agent and loan markets this summer because of the mammoth rebuilding job at hand.

Sheffield United midfielder Oli Arblaster has played well since breaking into the first team.

Players such as Alan Browne, Alex Mowatt and Paddy McNair should be priority signings in the early stages of the transfer window, which opens on June 14. And Steven Alzate is another player that should be on the list because of his versatility and nature. the understanding.

Alzate has shown that he can play in numerous positions in multiple formations. He can play as a sitting midfielder in a two-man game, a wide midfielder almost in a roaming player role (similar to the role Sander Berge played for us) and can play as a link player between midfield and attack, finding often pockets of space.

What stands out to me about Alzate is his ability to play and receive the ball under pressure. He has very good composure and if the Blades want to sign a goalkeeper who can distribute the ball well, the likes of Alzate and Oli Arblaster can drop to receive the ball and their skills are both suited to playing against a tight press.

Over the past 365 days, Alzate has put up some interesting numbers that point to him being a balanced midfielder. Compared to other midfielders in the Belgian top flight, Alzate is in the 92nd percentile for assists. Additionally, he ranks in the 72nd percentile for pass completion percentage, 74th in progressive carries and 77th in successful takedowns.

He also showed his ability to break up the opposing game, ranking in the 71st percentile for tacklers and 73rd for blocks made, whether it’s a shot or a pass.

Interestingly, although in different leagues, there is a similarity in his game with recently appointed England midfielder Adam Wharton. While not necessarily the same playstyle, their performance metrics compare closely on FBref.

Another player Alzate fits quite well with is another apparent target for the Blades, Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien.