Sheffield United opinion: The Blades should go for Jonathan Hogg

According to a report from the Sun, Premier League newcomers Sheffield United are interested in signing Huddersfield Town skipper, Jonathan Hogg. But former Terriers boss David Wagner is keen for the 30-year-old to rejoin him at Schalke in the Bundesliga.

Jonathan Hogg has become a firm fans’ favourite in his six years at Huddersfield Town due to his tough-tackling style. However, he has caught the attention of Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, who have returned to the top-flight of English football after a 12-year absence.

The Blades are yet to sign a player this summer transfer window, unlike their fellow promotion achievers Norwich City and Aston Villa. Wilder must reinforce every single department of his squad to give Sheffield United a chance of survival in their first season back with the big boys.

Bolstering the attacking options has to be a priority for the goal-shy Blades, with Wilder having only Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick as options up front. The 51-year-old manager must also address his midfield, which looks very short of options at the moment.

Oliver Norwood and John Fleck were highly impressive for Sheffield United’s midfield last season, and without them, you have to feel as though the Blades wouldn’t have won promotion automatically.

They will be crucial for the Yorkshire giants in the Premier League, but Wilder must bring in a couple of midfielders to challenge them.

One of those has to be Jonathan Hogg, who was one of the standout performers in Huddersfield’s promotion-winning 2016/17 campaign under David Wagner. He wasn’t as influential last term, though, as the Terriers suffered relegation from the top-flight.

A tough-tackling, tenacious and industrious midfielder, the 30-year-old generally sits in front of the back four and likes to dictate the tempo of the game.

He isn’t flashy in any case but a tidy passer of the ball that helps his team ticking over. Hogg’s work-rate is excellent, whilst he has the ability to unlock defences at times with his passing skills.

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The ex-Watford man has got good experience in the Premier League and that’ll play a massive role for the Blades next season. Also, a vocal leader, who has just a year left in his contract with Huddersfield, United could land Hogg on a bargain deal this summer.

Verdict

If Sheffield United are to have any chance of continuing their impressive run of form into the top-flight, they’ll need some quality signings this summer. And bringing in Hogg from the Terriers would be a step in the right direction.