Chris Wilder looks ahead to Yorkshire Derby

Sheffield United welcome Leeds to Bramall Lane on Sunday and Chris Wilder has said he is looking forward to going head to head with Marcelo Bielsa again.

Chris Wilder looks ahead to Yorkshire Derby
 (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)
mrjoelroberts
By Joel Roberts

Chris Wilder has said that it will be great for both Sheffield United and Leeds United to battle it out once again.

The Blades welcome the newly promoted Leeds side as the two teams go head to head for the first time since March 2019 in which Chris Basham scored the only goal at Elland Road that aided Sheffield United pipping their Yorkshire rivals to promotion.

It will be the first time a Yorkshire derby will occur in the Premier League for 19 years and the first time in 26 years Sheffield United has played Leeds in the top flight.

“We’ve had some fabulous games with Leeds United over the years," Wilder told the clubs media.

"It’ll be great for both clubs to battle it out on Sunday afternoon.”

  • Food for thought for Wilder after impressive performances

Despite losing to Aston Villa on Monday, new signings Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu and Oli Burke impressed for Sheffield United.

With John Egan being sent off early in the game, Wilder turned to the Welshman and he did not look out of place at all.

Egan is unavailable due to suspension for Sunday and striker Lys Mousset is the only other absentee for Wilder.

“Ethan comes into the picture," he told the clubs media.

"Phil Jagielka comes in to the picture, a change of shape might come into the picture. Ethan is going to play a big part in our season. There’s some decisions to be made.”

Wilder has also hinted at the fact that he is also wanting to bring in another striker before the transfer window ends.

“We’ve identified players," Wilder told the clubs media.

"There’s other things that have got to happen now from a negotiation point of view to get the player in.”

  • Wilder proud of Football heritage

The City of Sheffield is the birthplace of football with the world's first-ever football club Sheffield FC being founded in 1857.

With the coronavirus pandemic still affecting hundreds of clubs up and down the country, Chris Wilder has spoken up about needing to protect grassroots football.

 

"What football plays in this part of the world is huge," he told the clubs media.

"We're not a one-club city and we're not a two or three club area. Football is a huge part of life in South Yorkshire and it needs to be protected."