Greece star George Baldock’s rise presents Sheffield United with a challenge
Sheffield United are being advised to begin negotiating a new contract with George Baldock during the first half of next season after the defender confirmed his growing status by starting Greece’s Euro 2024 qualifier against France.
Baldock’s performances for his adopted country have begun to attract the attention of some of the leading names in the Super League, with Olympiacos previously known to have monitored his situation at Bramall Lane.
The 30-year-old’s appearance in Paris, where he faced the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman and Antoine Griezmann, was his second straight start for the visitors after previously featuring in Gus Poyet’s line-up during last week’s victory over the Republic of Ireland. Given the importance of those two games, as the Greeks attempt to reach the tournament finals, Poyet now clearly views Baldock as one of his most dependable players. Given the impact the Uruguayan has made since taking charge, that will not go unnoticed by teams in the SL.
The French required a second-half penalty from Mbappe to prevail at the Stade de France, consolidating their position at the top of Group B while Poyet’s men remained second.
Ireland, who are captained by United’s John Egan, climbed to third after securing a much needed victory over Gibraltar. Egan, who like Baldock could become a free agent next summer, required treatment for a facial injury following the loss to Greece but recovered as expected to face Julio Cesar Ribas’ side.
The duo are among 16 members of Paul Heckingbottom’s squad about to enter the final 12 months of their present deals.
READ MORE
One of Sheffield United’s highest earners last season wasn’t a permanent staff member
James McAtee was one of the highest earning members of Sheffield United’s first team squad last season, after joining them on loan from Manchester City.
The midfielder, aged 20, excelled for Paul Heckingbottom’s side during the second half of the season with his performances helping them win automatic promotion from the Championship. Together with his teammate Tommy Doyle, who also spent the campaign at Bramall Lane after arriving from the Etihad Stadium, City subsidised a large portion of McAtee’s annual salary in order to help facilitate the deal.
Although neither has yet to cement a place in Pep Guardiola’s plans, The Star understands that McAtee and Doyle would both have been in the upper echelons of United’s pay scale had they been required to cover all the costs associated with signing the pair.
The revelation underlines not only the challenges Heckingbottom faces as he attempts to bring the duo back to South Yorkshire next term but also across the board in the transfer market given the gulf in value between remuneration packages for established Premier League performers and those operating in the Championship.
With an estimated £20m to spend on reprofiling his squad this summer, Heckingbottom is again expected to view the temporary market as an important source of new talent. Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka boasts admirers at United and, if the Londoners’ new manager Mauricio Pochettino agrees, could be offered the chance to enjoy regular football with them next term.
City, who want to retain McAtee’s services, expect United to bid for Doyle although they will insist on inserting a ‘buy back’ clause into any proposed deal – providing Heckingbottom’s employers can meet their demands.
