Sheffield United can bench last year’s Championship’s best player Gustavo Hamer vs Wrexham for tonight’s Championship Boxing Day fixture.
Every year, the EFL season awards are generally announced at the end of the regular Championship season. Many of the collective and individual award winners on the night usually hail from the clubs gaining direct promotion to the Premier League.
The previous season 2024/25 was a rare one in this regard. Sheffield United’s attacking midfielder Gustavo Hamer swept away the Player of the Year award by a fair mile, however, the Blades couldn’t bridge the gap to the Premier League.
Wrexham’s current number 19 Kieffer Moore played the unwanted villain that day, though Sheffield United chief Chris Wilder is generous to forgive him for that. Most likely, Hamer won’t be holding any grudges towards Moore either and the duo will get on well at the Racecourse.
Just like Hamer, saying Moore as Wrexham’s best Championship player so far has a good amount of truth to it. Racking up 8 goals in the first half of the league is no joke, so fair play to him.
Overall, it all boils down to how impactful Moore and Hamer can be on their first reunion as fresh rivals. By the look of things, Moore can be the clear winner because Sheffield United fans have doubts over Hamer.
Sheffield United tipped to bench Gustavo Hamer vs Wrexham
No doubt, the Dutchman is a playmaking gem within the Blades ranks but a The Star report hints that he could be rested for tonight.
Their predicted Sheffield United lineup has excluded Hamer, with the reasoning: “It may be a big call to omit Hamer but it’s purely from a rest and rotation perspective ahead of a busy period, with the trip to Stoke coming very quickly after this late kickoff. Bamford is fresh from scoring his third goal in United colours and will hope to keep his place.”
One can argue saying it’s a mere prediction but every Championship club usually has rotation ideas on their mind around the New Year. Similar to Wrexham, the Blades also have a hectic schedule featuring 4 tricky games inside the span of ten days.
Plus, there is the added burden of FA Cup games in January. Hence, Sheffield United like every other English club, won’t wish to play with fire by risking injuries.
Hamer is an integral part of the Blades core, and very recently was on the receiving end of a red card foul against Birmingham City. Wilder and co would be relaxed that James McClean will not take the pitch for Wrexham but why take risks?
I’m not throwing player rotation ideas for Sheffield but it’s crystal clear that not having Hamer on the other side of the pitch will make life easier for the Red Dragons. This is what Wrexham fans want as Phil Parkinson’s crew are burdened with player unavailability issues of their own.
Thus, any lineup help they get from matchday opponents is welcome.
Wrexham vs Sheffield United squad comparison
Assuming Hamer gets a full ninety minutes of rest, Wrexham can have a good go at levelling the midfield balance over the visitors.
It isn’t overconfident to say that the combination of Josh Windass and Kieffer Moore up top is better than whatever forwards Sheffield United boast at the moment. Now the defence is left, where the Blades stand tall over Wrexham.
The last clean sheet Wrexham managed in their favour came exactly one month ago on the 26th of November. That was at home against an opponent donning a red kit.
Sheffield United too play in a red shirt and let’s hope the coincidence for a clean sheet turns true on this Boxing Day.
