MX23RW : Saturday, January 4 22:19:36| >> :120:14528:14528:

Oliver Norwood: "I can't see myself leaving Sheffield United"

Oliver Norwood:
© Reuters
Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Norwood will enter the final year of his existing deal at the end of the season.

Oliver Norwood wants to finish his career at Sheffield United after admitting the club are targeting a place in Europe next season.

The 28-year-old is one of a handful of players Blades boss Chris Wilder wants to sign a new contract, with the likes of John Lundstram, Enda Stevens and John Fleck already in talks over new deals.

Wilder has said he is "100 per cent certain" that Norwood will reach an agreement with the club – a belief the former Northern Ireland international was happy to confirm.

"It's nice that the club want me to stay here," he said. "I've spoken to the manager and the powers that be. We'll get there. It's as simple as that.

"Why, from a personal point of view, would I want to go anywhere else? It's a special place to be and arguably I want to be here for the rest of my career. I can't see myself leaving and why would I want to?"

Norwood joined the Blades from Brighton, Saturday's opponents in the Premier League at Bramall Lane, at the beginning of last season, helping the club win promotion to the top flight.

He has made 26 Premier League appearances this campaign as Wilder's side have taken the division by storm, putting themselves firmly in contention for a Champions League spot with 12 matches remaining.

Asked if qualifying for that competition, or the Europa League, is now a realistic target for a team written off as relegation favourites at the beginning of the season, Norwood said: "We've put ourselves in a good position.

"It would be silly to say we don't dream or that we haven't spoken about it among ourselves. But we know it's going to be tough and we know there's a long way to go and that we're still not there yet.

"But I do think we've earned everybody's respect. We have put ourselves in a wonderful position but nobody is settling – the manager wouldn't let us settle."

The Blades have returned from their winter break in Dubai with a fully fit squad. David McGoldrick was an unused substitute in the win against Bournemouth on February 9 after a foot injury but the striker has now fully recovered from the problem.

January signings Richairo Zivkovic and Panos Retsos played in a behind-closed doors friendly this week and will hope to be involved against Brighton.

ID:390389: cacheID:390389:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3820:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder peers at the action on February 1, 2020
Read Next:
Chris Wilder not thinking about possibility of Champions League football
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds26158348192953
2Burnley26141023192252
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd26166436171952
4Sunderland25138438221647
5Middlesbrough26118743321141
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26913432211140
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn2511682823539
8Bristol City2691073330337
9Watford25114103536-137
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2610793840-237
11Norwich CityNorwich269984337636
12Swansea CitySwansea2697103030034
13Millwall257992423130
14Preston North EndPreston2661282834-630
15Coventry CityCoventry2678113437-329
16Queens Park RangersQPR2561182733-629
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2577112840-1228
18Derby CountyDerby2676133135-427
19Stoke CityStoke2669112432-827
20Luton TownLuton2574142642-1625
21Portsmouth2358103040-1023
22Hull City2658132536-1123
23Cardiff CityCardiff2558122540-1523
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2548132453-2920


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!