Big money signing going nowhere, says Sheffield United boss

Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic says struggling striker Rhian Brewster will not be going out on loan. 

The 20-year-old joined the Blades for a club-record deal worth £23.5m last summer, but so far the move hasn’t worked out.

Brewster is yet to register a single league goal for the South Yorkshire side. Only featuring six times this season, he didn’t even make the bench in his side’s most recent outing against Stoke. 

Despite the lack of goals, Jokanovic has ruled out the possibility of his forward leaving.

Speaking to Yorkshire Live, he said: “No, I’m not thinking about this. I’m thinking about our squad and how to balance it, I’m not thinking about whether to loan players or not,”

“When I use people from the bench, I try to work out how many changes I can make during the game. I can’t use four strikers during the game.”

Brewster has also had a mixed time with England U21’s. In three Euro 2021 qualification games, the youngster has pitched in with one goal and one assist but was sent off in his last game against Andorra.

“Rhian can play different positions but I’m not trying to kill the kid. He is one of the most talented English players and when he’s not in the team you can ask me why not,” added Jokanovic. 

“It’s simple, he is working hard and competing. When I change my mind, he will play. I think it’s the right decision for my side but there is an opportunity to change my mind, of course. He is competing with other people.

“He has qualities and characteristics to help us, he has to be brave and work hard and be ready for his chance. I can find huge logic for my decision, I try to explain that we can’t have four strikers on the bench with one midfielder and one defender, that would be outside the normal.”

Whether the former Liverpool man is part of the Blades squad or not, Jokanovic insists he still has confidence in himself.

He said: “I spoke to him two or three weeks ago before the international break. We have spoken about that. He is working, he backs himself.”

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No return date for Jack O’Connell

Sheffield United boss Slavisa Jokanovic has confirmed that there’s still no confirmation as to when Jack O’Connell will feature for the Blades.

Initially, the defender was meant to be out for a year after picking up a serious knee injury at the start of the 2020/21 campaign.

Due to several setbacks during his recovery, Jokanovic believes he won’t return till the new year.

“Really I can not give you an answer (O’Connell),” he explained. “I don’t expect he will be back this year, 2021. I hope he can be back next year but I can not give you an exact example.”

Since signing from Brentford in 2016, the fans’ favourite has been a key figure in United’s success in recent years. After relegation from the Premier League, it was clear he was a big miss to their defence.

READ MORE: Sheffield United stalwart remains optimistic about the season ahead