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Sheffield United Eyeing Former Newcastle Pair for Championship Revival
After a disappointing Premier League season that saw them relegated with just 16 points and three wins, Sheffield United are plotting their return to the top flight. The Blades, now under Chris Wilder’s management, are looking to recapture the form that led to their promotion under Paul Heckingbottom in the previous year.
According to The Sheffield Star, the club has set its sights on former Newcastle United players Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie to add versatility to their squad. Both players are now free agents after leaving Newcastle at the end of the last campaign.
Dummett and Ritchie bring significant experience, having been part of Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle side that secured Premier League promotion in 2016-17. Together, they made 87 appearances that season and have a combined total of 428 games for Newcastle, despite reduced roles in recent years.
Wilder’s preferred tactical setup of a five-man defense with wing-backs could be well-suited to the former Newcastle duo’s playing styles. Interestingly, if signed, Dummett and Ritchie would find themselves wearing the red and white stripes of Sheffield United, colors reminiscent of Newcastle’s arch-rivals, Sunderland.
Both Sheffield United and Sunderland will be competing in the Championship in the 2024-25 season. Sunderland’s own promotion aspirations were derailed last season following Tony Mowbray’s December dismissal and a Tyne-Wear derby loss. However, they too are regrouping under new leadership for a fresh promotion push.
The potential acquisition of Dummett and Ritchie could provide Sheffield United with valuable experience as they aim to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.