Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has broken his silence on the club’s pursuit of Joe Rothwell, with the midfielder edging closer to a Rangers exit just months after arriving in Glasgow.
Rothwell’s time at Rangers looks set to end almost as quickly as it began. Signed during the summer under former boss Russell Martin, the move was initially viewed as a savvy piece of business.
The Englishman brought pedigree from the English Championship and was expected to add technical security and ball progression to the Rangers engine room. Instead, his spell at Ibrox Stadium has been defined by frustration.
Injuries and fitness issues disrupted his rhythm early on, and managerial change compounded the problem.
Since Danny Rohl took charge, Rothwell has slipped significantly down the midfield hierarchy. Tactical preferences and the emergence of other options have left him on the periphery, with meaningful minutes increasingly difficult to come by.
For a player who arrived with expectations of influence, the reality has been starkly different.
Now, a return south of the border appears imminent. Sheffield United are closing in on a deal, and Wilder’s comments underline how highly he regards the midfielder.
“Joe [Rothwell] is in situ. Hopefully, we can get that one over the line,” Wilder said when addressing the proposed move.
“He’s somebody that gives us that strength in depth in the midfield department, and someone I’ve liked for quite a long time.
“He’ll bring good competition and balance in there, if we get it over the line.”
Those remarks offer insight into why the Blades have pushed strongly to secure the deal. Wilder values durability in the English Championship 46-match grind, but he also prioritises tactical flexibility and internal competition.
Rothwell, when fit, offers ball-carrying ability, energy between the lines, and the capacity to operate in multiple midfield roles, attributes that can be maximised at Bramall Lane.
From a Rangers perspective, the transfer is pragmatic. Rothwell has struggled to establish himself, and with the squad requiring balance and availability in key areas, moving on a player who hasn’t been central to plans makes sense. It frees space in the squad and reduces wage commitments, while allowing the player a fresh start in a league and environment that may better suit his profile.