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Blackwell to benefit from cash windfall
IT will not take the arrival of a mega-rich Arab or a Russian tycoon to transform Sheffield United into the 'nouveau riche' of Championship football.
For nearly 18 months, the Carloz Tevez taunts have been echoing from the away end – now the Blades are ready to enjoy the last laugh.
With a possible 30m in compensation destined for the Bramall Lane coffers, a degree of justice is about to be served.
The Blades could soon have the financial strength to embark on a spending spree that will send shudders through the rest of the Championship.
In Premier League terms, it might only be enough to buy one player – a Berbatov or a Robinho – but, in the second tier of English football, that sort of money goes a long, long way.
Blades manager Kevin Blackwell, who so far this season has been under more pressure to sell than buy, will be rubbing his hands with glee.
He urgently needs a replacement for midfielder Michael Tonge, sold to Stoke City for 2m, and the fans have been getting restless. Today's news puts a totally different slant on things. If the Blades' manager was aware of an impending pay-out, why would he go out and spend in football's equivalent of Nettos when the door to Harrods was about to be pushed open?
The fact that the transfer window is now closed does not put a block on immediate team-strengthening. Clubs in the Football League are allowed to continue with loan manoeuvres, and Blackwell will be able to bring in any number of players, possibly with a view to permanent deals come the New Year.
With more funds at his disposal, Blackwell will also be able look at Premier League players earning 20,000 a week rather than Championship players on far less.
Of course, having the money to spend is no guarantee of a return to the top flight. The money needs to be spent wisely.
It is still early days, but the Blades are already playing catch-up in the race for promotion. Beyond this season, they will no longer be in receipt of parachute payments from the Premier League.
Getting it right and getting the club back in the top flight is vitally important this season. At least that task has just been made easier.
Click on the links below for more Blades news:
Warnock calls for Scudamore to quit.
Blackwell will have millions to spend.
Hammer horror show cast shadow over football.
Tevez timeline.
Listen to our experts give their verdict on the Blades podcast.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
