The 2019/20 Premier League season was a special season for Sheffield United.
The club had just been promoted from the Championship, and in their first season back in England’s top flight, the club finished 9th, with talks earlier in the season of the Blades qualifying for the Champions League.
But what has happened to the main starting eleven that almost took Chris Wilder’s men to Europe?
The Blades loaned in Dean Henderson from Manchester United, with the goalkeeper just coming off a successful loan with Shrewsbury Town.
Despite the large jump to the Premier League, Henderson was a formidable force in goal, keeping 13 clean sheets.
Henderson returned to Manchester United the next season, before getting a £17 million transfer to Crystal Palace in 2023.
Dean Henderson has also earned four England caps, and is one of the favourite goalkeepers to head to the 2026 World Cup.
George Baldock was an excellent right back during his time for the Blades.
Baldock was Chris Wilder’s go-to man for that right back spot during the 19/20 season, and the Greek player gave his all each time he played for the Blades.
After switching national allegiances, Baldock was able to earn 12 caps for the Greece national team.
He departed the club in 2024 to Greek side Panathinaikos on a free transfer.
George Baldock unfortunately passed away on 9th of October 2024 at the age of 31.
The captain and beating heart of the Sheffield United defence was Chris Basham.
Him and his center back counterparts pioneered the elusive overlapping center back tactic which helped the Blades overcome many Premier League opponents.
After a serious injury, Chris Basham retired in 2024 after a decade of service at Sheffield United.
John Egan was brought in from Brentford and was a pivotal part of the Sheffield United backline as they earned promotion in the 18/19 season.
Egan’s role was just as important the following season as he, alongside Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell, made the Blades’ backline formidable.
After seven years at the club, the Irishman departed the club and moved to Burnley, before moving once again to Hull City, where he is a regular starter.
He also signed a contract extension in January of this year which keeps him at the club until 2027.
The final central defender for the Blades was Jack O’Connell, who was arguably the best of the bunch.
When he made the jump up to the Premier League, he adapted perfectly and was arguably one of the best defenders in the league.
However, it ended in heartbreak after the Englishman picked up a knee injury in 2020, which ultimately led him to retire in 2023 at just the age of 29.
For Jack O’Connell, it will forever remain a story of what could’ve been.
Enda Stevens was a vital player on the left side for Sheffield United in their first season back in the Premier League.
A fan favourite at Bramall Lane, Stevens was a regular starter as he played every Premier League game in the 2019/20 season.
The Irishman departed the club in 2023 and moved to Stoke City on a free transfer.
He then returned to his home country with Shamrock Rovers this season, however he has only made a single appearance thus far.
John Lundstram was arguably the most important part of the Sheffield United squad upon their return to the Premier League in 2019.
He was also a favourite amongst Fantasy Premier League players, with his constant contributions and positive performances making him a regular choice.
The midfielder then departed for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League in 2021, before a quick stint in Turkey with Trabzonspor in 2024.
Lundstram returned to England this season with a loan move to Hull, reuniting with his former teammate John Egan.
The Blades made Oliver Norwood’s loan move permanent after impressive performances in the Championship.
Norwood was the club’s go-to set piece taker, as well as being an adaptable and versatile tool for Chris Wilder.
Norwood remained at Bramall Lane until 2024, when he departed on a free to Stockport County.
Since then, he has been a star player, especially this season where he has 11 goal contributions in 29 appearances, as the club chases promotion to the Championship.
An ever present and reliable figurehead for Sheffield United, John Fleck wasn’t fancy or flashy, but he was dependable.
The Scotsman made 30 appearances in the Premier League and also brought a calming and reliable presence to the middle of the Sheffield United squad.
Fleck departed in 2023 to Blackburn Rovers on a free before leaving the following season to join Chesterfield, where he still plays.
However, his role has certainly been drawn back recently, with the midfielder only playing 12 games out of a possible 36.
A true journeyman, David McGoldrick has found himself on the books of 11 teams, but arguably his most impressive time was at the Blades.
McGoldrick joined the Blades on a free in 2018 after an impressive stint at Ipswich Town.
The striker played 28 games in the 2019/20 season, however his returns were poor as he scored just two goals in the league.
He departed the club in 2022 and has already played for three clubs, that being Derby County, Notts County and now Barnsley.
McGoldrick has been able to impress at all three of these clubs, with notable moments being helping Notts County reach the League Two playoffs.
The Blades splashed almost £20 million on Oli McBurnie from Swansea City, with clear intentions for him to be their leading talisman in the Premier League.
However, for the money spent, the goal contributions weren’t substantial as the Scotsman only bagged six goals all season.
McBurnie didn’t hit any consistent form until the 2022/23 season where was able to get 13 goals.
He then made a shock move to LaLiga for UD Las Palmas, before making a return to England this season with Hull City, reuniting with John Egan and John Lundstram.
