Sheffield United Opinion: Why the Blades should go all out for Jake Cooper

Back in August 2018, the Daily Mail claimed Sheffield United were interested in signing Millwall defender Jake Cooper. However, a move didn’t materialise and Cooper has since stayed with Millwall.

Jake Cooper, 24, came up through the ranks at Reading before being offloaded in 2017, joining Millwall permanently last summer after a successful loan spell in South London. He made 46 appearances in the Championship last term, bagging four goals and six assists in the process.

Having shone with Millwall in the past two seasons, the 24-year-old giant defender could be tempted to join the Premier League if a club comes calling. With that in mind, Sheffield United must rekindle their interest in Cooper and sign him this summer.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is preparing for life in the Premier League after achieving direct promotion.

The Blades have been very busy in the transfer market having already signed the likes Ravel Morrison, Phil Jagielka, Luke Freeman and Callum Robinson. But Wilder will hope to add some more fresh faces to his squad to make his team capable of fighting in the Premier League.

The Yorkshire club have added some much-needed experience to their backline by re-signing Phil Jagielka.

In Jagielka, they have a centre-back with proven Premier League quality. Despite the addition of the ex-England international, Wilder lacks depth in the defensive department. The 52-year-old manager should address that problem with the addition of Jake Cooper.

Standing at 6ft 4in tall, Cooper is a tough-tackling, no-nonsense defender who never hesitates to throw his body on the line.

He is composed in possession and can initiate attacks from the back as well. The former England Under-20 international is excellent in the air and can consistently win aerial duels due to his towering frame and strength.

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Having scored four goals and assisted six times in the Championship this past season, one gets an idea about Cooper’s danger in the box during set-pieces.

He’s a real handful in the opposition box and can outmuscle players with ease to score bullet headers past the goalkeeper. Due to his physical attributes, the 24-year-old should be able to cope with the challenges of the Premier League.

Verdict

Cooper is only likely to get better as he has got all the raw attributes to be a top centre-half.

At 24, the signs are already there and if he manages to reach his true potential under Wilder, he could be a real star at Bramall Lane.