Forget Chris Wilder, COH Sports sanctioned major departure that condemned Sheffield United to failure

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Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles has been the victim of losing one key player, which has significantly contributed to the difficult start to the season.

After four successive defeats, it has been an eye-opening start to the 2025/26 Championship campaign for Ruben Selles in S2.

Sheffield United are a shadow of their former selves, which saw them battle for promotion last season under the stewardship of Chris Wilder.

It has been a challenging period for the club, with Ruben Selles hitting out at Sheffield United’s recruitment before the Blades brought in a late flurry of signings towards the end of the summer transfer window.

In a time that has seen questions asked of Sheffield United for their drop off, many have cited the departure of Wilder for the reason, when in fact the loss of another key Blades figure has been just as crucial.

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Vini Souza’s Sheffield United departure has been significantly impactful

Earlier this summer, Vini Souza left Sheffield United to join Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

The Brazilian midfielder was integral to Chris Wilder’s plans last season, acting as a tough-tackling presence in the centre of the park, who also offered creativity on the front foot.

However, the loss of the former Sheffield United has hit the Blades harder than expected, with his absence being felt incredibly.

Sheffield United currently lack a dominating midfield presence, with Callum O’Hare, who is able to cover the hard yards and pressure the opposition, does not provide that same defensive assurance that Souza could.

The Blades were in need of a top Souza replacement this summer, but they were unable to do so. 

Like if Gus Hamer left Bramall Lane, Souza has been irreplaceable for Sheffield United, and owners COH Sports have only realised that when seeing the tangible product of the results that have been produced so far this season.

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Ruben Selles will hope Sydie Peck can help fill the Vini Souza void

Nobody in the Sheffield United squad would be able to replicate what Vini Souza was able to offer the club on the pitch, but Sydie Peck could help to do it to an extent.

Peck can be Sheffield United’s answer to a hard man in the midfield, as he showed for the Blades last season under Chris Wilder.

There is a lack of fight in the team right now, and whether that came from Wilder last season or not, players such as Peck need to help reinstate that into the group.

Ruben Selles’ side have been passive at the worst of times this season, being easy to play against and break down. That comes down to not being able to replace Souza.