Tyler Bindon appears to have forced his way back into Chris Wilder’s plans at Sheffield United, despite earlier reports of a recall to parent club Nottingham Forest ahead of the January transfer window.
Following a poor start to Sheffield United’s 2025/26 EFL Championship season, the Blades appear to have turned a corner and are fighting their way back up the league table.
The Ruben Selles experiment lasted only six games, all of which ended in defeat, leaving the club with its tail between its legs as they returned to Wilder, whom they had fired just months before after losing the play-off final to Sunderland in May.
Wilder struggled to find form upon his return, but the Bramall Lane favourite has propelled the club back up the league table, with a play-off spot becoming a realistic possibility in South Yorkshire.
Their most recent 3-0 home win over Birmingham City was as strong a statement of intent as they’ve made this season, with on-loan Nottingham Forest centre-back Tyler Bindon standing out in particular.
The New Zealand international has spent much of his time on the bench since Wilder’s return, but now appears to have given the Blades manager food for thought ahead of the January transfer window, with an early recall previously appearing to be the most likely option until now.
Chris Wilder could make a spectacular U-turn on Tyler Bindon’s future with Sheffield United.
Bindon joined the South Yorkshire club on loan in the summer, with former head coach Selles playing a significant role in his arrival after they worked together at Reading.
The New Zealand international had not appeared under Wilder until Mark McGuinness was injured at half-time in a 4-0 home win over Stoke City earlier this month, when he was given his chance. Indeed, Football League World exclusively revealed last month that Wilder was looking to terminate the loans of Bindon, Louie Barry, and Ben Godfrey, and while the latter two are now set to return to their parent clubs, the former Reading star still has a chance of making the grade at Bramall Lane.
He started the following 1-1 home game with Norwich City, but was dropped when McGuinness returned for their 2-0 away defeat to West Brom, which Wilder subsequently admitted he may have gotten wrong, saying: “He’s got a shirt, and I know he appreciates it. He has played brilliantly today. He performed well. I may have made a mistake with that selection last week. Maybe I should have joined Tyler at West Brom, but I didn’t.”
When asked if Bindon will stay with the Blades after the January transfer window, Wilder responded, “You’ve seen there’s a player in there, and he’s had to bide his time.” But he has an opportunity now, so let’s see where it goes.
“I have not made a decision on it. Tyler’s attitude has been good around here. He’s seized the opportunity, and everything is on the table.
“Let’s see what happens [with his future].” He’s playing, and I’m not going to give anything away to Wrexham, but I don’t think there will be many changes to the back four because of how they’ve performed.”
In a sudden turn of events, it now appears that Bindon has asserted himself in Wilder’s plans after it appeared that he would be recalled, and not only has he reinstated his place in the Blades’ plans, but he appears to be ahead of McGuinness in the pecking order.
Tyler Bindon was among a handful loan periods anticipated to be cut short at Sheffield United this winter.
Sheffield United’s summer transfer window was inconsistent at best.
Following their most recent play-off defeat, they restructured their team and added five loan players, including Bindon, Djibril Soumare, Louie Barry, Ben Godfrey, and Chiedozie Ogbene.
It is fair to say that none have met expectations upon arrival, for one reason or another.
Barry has made just nine Championship games this season while nursing a knee injury, and Godfrey’s loan from Atalanta has already been announced to be cut short, with the former Everton defender dealing with personal troubles and limited to just four league outings.
Ogbene missed nine months of action last season due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained while playing for Ipswich Town, and he has yet to regain his form at Bramall Lane, with a recent hamstring injury complicating his season.
Soumare has played sparingly thus far, with Sydie Peck, Jairo Riedewald, Gus Hamer, and Ollie Arblaster all competing in central midfield.
Bindon appears to have restarted his Sheffield United career at the best time, with the January transfer market less than two weeks away, and he might yet prove to be an important figure for the Blades this season.
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