Sheffield United are plotting move for a defender-in-waiting

Luton Town defender Gabriel Osho is on Sheffield United’s shortlist as they look to improve their centre-back line-up for next season, according to TEAMtalk.

The 25-year-old Nigerian defender has featured 21 times for the Hatters in the Premier League in the last term, helping the side to two clean sheets and adding two top-flight goals to his name.

Rob Edwards is believed to want Osho to stay at Kenilworth Road as he hopes to secure a bounce-back promotion in the near term, however he is yet to sign a new contract and is set to become a free agent soon at the end of this month .

Osho is not the first centre-back to be linked with the Blades in the last couple of months. Sheffield United reportedly have former Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall in line for a loan move for promising Tottenham Hotspur defender Ashley Phillips. In addition, Paddy McNair is another name mentioned after becoming a free agent following his departure from Middlesbrough.

Chris Wilder looks to have depth on the left side of a complete back three through both Jack Robinson and Auston Trusty and possibly even Rhys Norrington-Davies filling in, depending on the opposition. But the same cannot be said for the right side.

Anel Ahmedhodzic is likely to be sold this summer, with several reports linking him with a move to Serie A. Of course, the Blades will need to replace departing legend Chris Basham. Meanwhile, the club are waiting to see how John Egan recovers from injury before offering him a new contract.

The Blades could be planning to sign three centre-backs this summer with the hope that Egan will recover well. And Osho, McNair and Phillips would probably be most people’s choice given there will be minimal fees involved, unlike Worrall where Forest could start demanding a ridiculous fee due to their Fair Play financial struggles.

Not only will the appeal factor for the Blades be his low cost, he is a versatile player who has previously played at right-back and even in defensive midfield.

Last season, compared to other centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues, including European competitions on FBref, Gabriel Osho ranked in the 85th percentile in goals scored without penalties, highlighting his strengths in the opposition box.

Looking more closely at his defensive stats, he averages two successful tackles per 90, which is enough to rank him in the 85th percentile. Osho ranks best in tackles in the middle third – the 96th percentile, while he ranks in the 93rd percentile for blocks. He also ranks 86th in interceptions.

Osho has shown an ability to take on opponents, ranking in the 78th percentile. To add to that, he has a high shot creation rate from actions for defenders – 89th percentile.

But a real issue for me is his weakness in the air and after last seasons display the Blades should be looking to improve their aerial frailties at the back, not add to them. He has an aerial win rate of 50% per game, which puts him in the 10th percentile.