Sheffield United linked with move for little-known 21-year-old as data recruitment focus ramps up.
Sheffield United’s new owners have made no secret of their ambition to employ a data-driven recruitment strategy, having dipped their toes in the water with the AI-led signings of Jefferson Cáceres and Christian Nwachukwu in the previous transfer window. However, this must be matched with a respect for the intangibles that statistics cannot measure, as the Championship is notoriously challenging for newcomers to English football.
There is little doubt, however, that things are changing at Bramall Lane, with a statement from the Blades’ board this week, following the weekend play-off final defeat to Sunderland at Wembley, reiterating their desire to “end the cycle of boom and bust” if they do return to the Premier League and “use data and analytics far more effectively to recruit the best and brightest talent.”
United has always used data to shape their recruitment, dating back to Paul Mitchell’s tenure as head of recruitment, but the landscape appears to be shifting at Bramall Lane, with a 21-year-old Senegalese defender being linked with the Blades this week.
Gora Diouf of FC Sion is set to leave the Swiss League this summer when his contract expires, and United’s Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion, who are also adopting a statistical approach to recruitment as they look for their next manager, are said to be interested, as are Swansea City, who are uncertain about the future of out-of-contract defender Harry Darling.
Diouf, described as a strong and speedy left-sided central defender, is also wanted by various Turkish clubs, but FC Basel wants to keep him in Switzerland. A trio of French Ligue 1 clubs have also looked into Diouf, hoping to land a cheap free transfer that they can develop in the future.
The website Africa Football wrote of Diouf: With his contract with FC Sion expiring in 2025, he could grab this opportunity to move up a level and join a more prominent team. His speed, technique, and goal-scoring abilities make him a desirable candidate for organizations wanting to invest in emerging talent.”
United may soon be looking for central defensive reinforcements if Anel Ahmedhodzic leaves this summer, as expected. Boss Chris Wilder stated earlier this season that promotion would help persuade the Bosnian to continue at Bramall Lane, as he enters the final year of his Blades contract later this summer.
Sheffield United reach for Plan B in transfer market after play-off final heartbreak against Sunderland
Rob Holding’s loan spell from Crystal Palace also expires this summer while skipper Jack Robinson was scheduled to become a free agent at the end of this season, although he is understood to have triggered a fresh deal due to the number of appearances he made for the Blades this season following Harry Souttar’s untimely season-ending injury.
United travelled to Wembley with two lists of transfer targets in their pockets, one for if they became a Premier League club and another if they were sentenced to another season in the Championship. It is the latter that will be reluctantly utilised but United can’t afford to waste time feeling sorry for themselves, with 22 other Championship clubs knowing their divisional status at least three weeks earlier and able to get a head-start on their future plans as a result.
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