How Chris Wilder’s last Sheffield United line-up compares to Ruben Selles’ final starting XI

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So much has changed at Sheffield United over recent months, and the Blades’ line-up is no different.

Chris Wilder’s final game in charge during his second spell as Sheffield United boss was their 2-1 defeat in the Championship play-off final against Sunderland.

In a shocking turn of events, Sheffield United have reappointed Wilder after the Blades sacked Ruben Selles, only months after the Spaniard replaced him in the wake of the play-off final failure.

The summer transfer window has seen several changes in the Sheffield United dressing room, with some of Wilder’s former favourites sold and many players brought in at the request of Selles.

Here, EFL Analysis runs you through how Wilder’s Blades lined up in the play-off final in comparison to how Selles’ last starting XI looked in Sheffield United’s 5-0 defeat to Ipswich Town.

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Chris Wilder’s last Sheffield United XI compared to Ruben Selles’

Following the departure of Wilder, several marquee Sheffield United stars who featured in the Championship play-off final were sold this summer.

Sheffield United’s incomings and outgoings during the window saw Vini Souza sold to Wolfsburg for around £13m, Anel Ahmedhodzic join Feyenoord and Jack Robinson move to Wrexham.

Perhaps most notably, Kieffer Moore was sold to Wrexham, with his last kick in a Sheffield United shirt being his miscontrol that inadvertently set up Sunderland winger Tommy Watson for his historic winner.

Thankfully for Wilder, Gustavo Hamer remains at Sheffield United after PSV links this summer, and the Dutchman may be happy to see the back of Selles after he was surprisingly dropped against Ipswich.

Sheffield United’s play-off final XI vs starting XI from Ipswich Town defeat

Leicester City loanee Hamza Choudhury returned, and former Blades forward Rhian Brewster joined Derby County upon the expiry of his Sheffield United contract in the summer.

In total, six of Wilder’s last starting XI (Choudhury, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Brewster, Souza and Moore) have departed since his exit.

Despite Selles’ poor start, some serious quality was added to the squad this summer, with Japhet Tanganga being the key Sheffield United signing, with loan swoops for Louie Barry and Ben Godfrey also being impressive acquisitions.

A point of much contention among the Sheffield United fanbase will be, is whether the Blades squad is now better or worse.

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Chris Wilder now has weaker Sheffield United starting XI

Although both the starting XI and wider squads possess quality, it’s arguable that the current Sheffield United XI is worse than the side Wilder fielded at Wembley.

Losing the likes of Ahmedhodzic, Souza and Moore has been a momentous blow to the Blades, with the spine of Wilder’s former side stripped and sold.

In terms of the squad the Blades boss inherits, Louie Barry faces uncertainty under Wilder, given the winger’s close relationship with Selles, which was formed during their time at Hull City last term.

With Wilder’s star pupil Hamer set to reoccupy the left flank for Sheffield United, the Aston Villa loanee could face an uphill battle to cement his role in the starting XI following Selles’ exit.

Wilder may even revert to a back-three system, but it remains to be seen which players of Selles’ Blades squad will make the cut for their upcoming clash against Charlton Athletic for Wilder’s homecoming.