Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has revealed he tried to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady.
After achieving promotion to the Championship during his first season in charge, Wilder made a move for the defender in the summer of 2017 – shortly after Nuno Espirito Santo’s appointment as Wolves manager.
Chris Wilder Wanted to Sign Defender Conor Coady
High Praise
Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of tonight’s clash at Bramall Lane, Wilder admitted he made an offer for Coady.
“They are well led by their skipper, someone who I really admire and tried to bring to Bramall Lane,” said Wilder.
“We tried to get him at the time Nuno landed and we were hoping he would try to sign a Portuguese centre half, as they are the players who he knows well.
“But the boy from Liverpool, he carries himself so well and is a great captain.”
A Former Blade
Coady previously played at Bramall Lane in 2013/14 having been signed on loan by Wilder’s predecessor David Weir. Playing predominantly as a midfielder, the youngster scored five goals in 39 appearances to help the Blades to seventh position in League One.
He was sold by Liverpool in summer 2014, joining Championship side Huddersfield Town before signing for Wolves for £2 million a year later.
Following two mid-table finishes, Espirito Santo was brought in in July 2017 and transformed both club and player.
Converted to a centre-back-sweeper, Coady was instrumental in Wolves’ 2017/18 Championship title charge, missing just one match all season and lifting the trophy as club captain in Danny Batth’s absence.
In the Premier League, the Liverpudlian’s stock has continued to rise. Ever-present since Wolves’ return to the top-flight, Coady’s side sit sixth in the table – three points off a probable Champions League berth – and face Olympiacos in the last 16 of the Europa League in early August.
Sheffield United face Wolves at Bramall Lane tonight, kick-off 18:00.
Main Photo
