The effect Chris Wilder believes Chelsea's Ethan Ampadu and former Derby County pair Max Lowe and Jayden Bogle will have on his Sheffield United squad

With Scotland centre-forward Oliver Burke poised to officially complete a move to United and talks about signing Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster thought to be at an advanced stage despite competition from Newcastle, Wilder has also selected Derby County duo Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe to bolster his defensive options.

Explaining the psychology of a professional football operating at Premier League level, Wilder explained how the sight of United entering the transfer market will help to refocus minds behind the scenes at Bramall ahead of the 2020/21 campaign - which begins with a game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.

“When players do come through the door, it does have an effect,” he told The Star. “Subconsciously, people might be at the stage where they think everything is alright, everything is okay. Then a new player comes in and their standards raise again. It’s game on then.”

Although Wilder stressed it would be a mistake to interpret his comments as criticism of a team which finished ninth last term - only a year after being promoted from the Championship - they do provide an insight into the type of environment he has cultivated behind the scenes since taking charge four years ago. Despite maintaining it is “important to reward” consistent performances with new contracts, Wilder doesn’t want those under his command to feel comfortable either.

“The bar has to keep rising because we’re a team and we have to be a team,” he said. “But it also has to be a little bit of an individual sport, with people playing for their places or a part in the manager’s plans.

“There’s nobody prouder with the lads, and what they did last season, that me. But we can improve on that. We can’t stand still. I really enjoy bringing people in and seeing the bar get raised.”

“Everybody around us will want to get better,” Wilder added “Not just maintain where they are, and we have to be the same.”

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