Sheffield United must raid Birmingham City to sign Jota
As per a report from The Star, Sheffield United are eyeing a January move for Birmingham City’s Spanish playmaker Jota. Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder must add more creativity to his team and the 27-year-old Jota has emerged on his radar. (h/t The Star)
Sheffield United have made a brilliant start to the 2018/19 campaign and were at the top of the Championship table until Friday night. However, Middlesbrough are now on top after beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1. The Blades are level on points with Tony Pulis’ side after losing their game against Derby County.
Playing in a 3-5-2 system, the Blades rely on the wing-backs to provide the width in the final third of the field while central midfielders Oliver Norwood and John Fleck are often tasked with adding the creativity. However, the lack of a fluid playmaker who can produce defence-splitting passes and chip in with a few goals is something they direly need.
And that is where Jota could come in extremely handy for the Blades. The 27-year-old joined Birmingham City in the summer of 2017 from Brentford. In a season that ended with the Blues finishing just outside the relegation zone, the Spaniard impressed with 5 goals and 2 assists from 26 league matches.
Jota has started the ongoing term on a strong note as well, bagging a goal and setting up four more in 13 matches in the English second division as Birmingham sit 14th in the table.
Jota can play on either flank or through the middle as a No.10 and has also demonstrated the ability to operate as an auxiliary forward. Due to his versatility, Wilder could pair him up at the top with either a striker or use him in a free role behind his strikers.
A decent dribbler of the ball, Jota possesses a strong turn of pace and has a penchant for cutting inside from the flanks and taking an aim at the goal, usually scoring more often than not. His strong technique helps him find the target from distance and play defence-splitting passes in the final third as well.
An all-around and versatile player with ample experience at this level, the Spaniard could improve the overall quality of the Sheffield United squad should they land him in January. His presence will definitely aid their push for promotion as well. And as a result, the Blades must try to sign him in the winter window.
