In the first half of the season, Sheffield United have won multiple plaudits for their instant adaptation to life in the Premier League. The Blades currently find themselves in the top half of the table, on course for their best campaign in over a quarter of a century and the main reason behind their success has been Chris Wilder’s solid defensive unit. Their five-man setup has proven to be like an impenetrable wall at the back, led by the outstanding Chris Basham.
The 31-year-old has prior Premier League experience, unlike the majority of the Sheffield United squad, but his time with Blackpool was a completely different scenario. Under Ian Holloway the Seasiders’ defending was chaotic at best, as they scored for fun but still managed to get relegated back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
However, under Wilder’s tutelage, Basham is now an organiser who marshals the rest of one of the most organised defences in the English top-flight. Only Leicester City and Liverpool have conceded fewer goals this season, and it is testament to their supreme tactical and positional discipline at the back. The 31-year-old has been a lynchpin, making more tackles and interceptions than any other Blades player, embodying their cause to not only stave off relegation but possibly finish the season in the top half of the table.
It is not only his teammates Basham has outdone; he is even bettering the numbers he set himself in the Championship. Despite the significant step up in ability of the opposition he is facing, the Englishman is making 2.4 tackles per game, 0.4 higher than last season, and his interceptions have risen to 2 per match. Furthermore, Basham is committing fewer fouls, indicating the precision and timing of his tackling has improved.
But the most impressive aspect of his game is having averaged 4.5 clearances per game, up from 2.5 during his time in the Premier League with Blackpool. It highlights how he is not afraid to get rid of danger and relieve pressure when Basham knows there is no other option, in a league dominated by ball-playing centre backs playing so many clearances takes bravery.
Basham joined Sheffield United for nothing, but after five years at the club, his contribution to getting the Blades into the Premier League is nothing short of priceless.
