Wilder on departing players, 'value for money' and ambitions for final game
- Published
Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before Sheffield United host Tottenham to finish their Premier League season on Sunday (16:00 BST kick-off).
Here are the key lines from his new conference:
Wilder said they had "difficult decisions to make" over not renewing players' contracts but added it was "really important that us as a football club got it right" and to allow people "the opportunity to show appreciation for the five players".
He added on Chris Basham, George Baldock, Oliver Norwood, Wes Foderingham and Max Lowe: "[They have been] outstanding servants, but the club has to move on. We will all reflect in an important way the positive contribution to the club."
On having a deadline for players who have been offered contracts: "Every one will have individual circumstances wrapped around it. John Egan coming back to full fitness - we want to reward him and want to keep him, but we have to make sure, from a physical point of view, he is OK. There is no sentiment, we have to make sure we are getting value for money too."
He continued: "I'll respect some of these players will have opportunities to speak to other clubs. I wont be ridiculously harsh on them, but there will be a cut off time on them. I will be firm on that and if we lose players we lose players. Players have to be all in next year and that is what I will demand from them."
Wilder said getting the most out of players is "what we will always try to do", adding: "Get a pint out of a half pint, squeeze it, overachieve - as we have done massively."
On the difficulty of replacing the departing players: "People say you haven't sold a player for £10m, £15m or £20m, but there is a different contribution. It is contribution of games, appearances, achievements as well. What we got out of them, is 10-fold what we paid for them."
On the Blades' ambitions for the final game: "We have to be incredibly competitive. We are up against a team going for something, but we still have a lot to play for. No white flag regardless of league positions. We have a lot play for, either individually or as a team - players playing for futures and other clubs will be watching our players. We have an obligation to the league and also, most importantly, an obligation to our supporters."