Billy Sharp 2021/22: Setting the Championship bar for the mid-30s strikers – scout report

Billy Sharp is now coming to the tail end of his career after reaching 36-years-old in February. Most players would be winding down their careers and looking forward to the future without football. However, Sharp has turned the narrative on its head as he continues to score or assist in the Championship. Sharp has changed his playstyle to incorporate more of his mental abilities to compensate for his depleting physical skills. This scout report will analyse how Sharp has grown as a player. Plus, a brief tactical analysis to see how Sheffield Uniteds tactics help embrace Sharps talents.

How do Sheffield United play?

Sheffield Uniteds preferred tactic is 3-5-2, with Sharp occupying one of the two strikers. The other striker in the partnership is usually Ollie McBurnie or David McGoldrick, who are more athletic than their older colleague; that is not to say Sharp is a physical slouch.

The Blades try to keep possession, as they are third in terms of passes across the entire pitch. Sheffield United try to keep possession because Paul Heckingbottom wants Sheffield United to try and keep the ball. Great technical players like Morgan Gibbs-White and, former Rangers midfielder, John Fleck make it easy to move the opposition around. Sheffield United likes to pass the ball into the box more often than any other team in the Championship when moving the ball into the box.

Despite Sheffield Uniteds fantastic passing play, their tactics do not strictly demand a rigid passing philosophy. United rank second in terms of crosses as they like to work the ball into the wide areas. Players like Manchester United academy graduate Oliver Norwood(21), Ben Osborn (24) and Gibbs-White (29) all are great at successfully crossing the ball.

Sharp, historically, has had a great header of the ball, with him only needing three more to get to 50 in his career. Despite this, Sharp has only scored two this season. Maybe the crosses have not helped Sharp score this season, as he has only scored with his head twice this season. However, Sheffield United do not exclusively cross the ball with the intent of a striker heading the ball. Sheffield United are first in terms of low crosses within the Championship this season.