Wilder must stay true to his word and include Sheffield’s five goal man against Reading – opinion
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 29: Lys Mousset of Sheffield United celebrates after he scores his sides first goal which is later disallowed by VAR during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sheffield United at Etihad Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Sheffield United are enjoying a stellar Premier League season, and the Blades are currently seventh in the division, just four points off Chelsea in fourth. But this evening Chris Wilder’s side face off against Championship side Reading in the FA Cup fifth round, and the manager has promised to “go and attack” the tie. In order to stay true to his word, Wilder has to include his most potent attacking asset Lys Mousset.
The Frenchman has been a sensation in the Premier League since joining the Blades at the start of the season, he is their top scorer on five goals, along with four assists, meaning no other player has had a higher goal involvement that Mousset, as per WhoScored. The forward was dropped to the bench in the 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion, and he has been introduced midway through the action 13 times in the Premier League this season. No club outside the Championship’s top ten have conceded fewer goals than Reading’s 41 this season, and it will require the 24-year-old’s creativity and goalscoring prowess to ensure Sheffield United progress to the next round.
Alongside having scored over double Billy Sharp’s two Premier League goals this season, Mousset has also attempted 1.4 shots per match, while the 34-year-old has fired off just 0.5, as per WhoScored. While the pair have a very different skill set, as the younger of the duo is less aerially adept but offers more pace in behind, it is obvious to see from the average number of shots he has taken that Mousset troubles opposition goalkeepers more often. Therefore, if Wilder is to ‘attack’ the tie, the option most likely to cause the Championship strugglers trouble is the top-scoring Frenchman.
Progressing to the sixth round would put the Blades just two games shy of equalling their miraculous feat of reaching the semi-final while in League One. Along with their Premier League successes and potential European qualification, Wilder will be hoping to make this season genuinely historic for Sheffield United fans by giving them an extended run in England’s oldest cup competition and to help achieve that Mousset simply must start.