Sheffield United face a defensive crisis following the departure of star centre-back Anel Ahmedhodžić to Feyenoord. The 26-year-old Bosnian, who made 114 appearances and scored 12 goals over three seasons, was pivotal in the Blades’ 2022/23 promotion and last season’s Championship play-off push. With loanee Harry Souttar sidelined by injury and other defenders like Alfie Gilchrist and Harry Clarke gone, manager Ruben Selles must reinforce the backline, with only Tyler Bindon and Jack Robinson as senior centre-backs. Here are three realistic candidates to replace Ahmedhodžić and keep United’s Premier League ambitions on track.
1. Nils Zätterström (Malmö FF)
A 20-year-old left-footed centre-back from Malmö FF—where Ahmedhodžić also emerged—is a prime target. The Swede has started seven Allsvenskan matches in 2025, contributing to two clean sheets with his composure, aggressive defending, and precise passing. His ability to play in a back three or four and score from defence mirrors Ahmedhodžić’s skill set, making him a perfect fit for Selles’ vertical tiki-taka system. While his transfer fee is unconfirmed, Zätterström’s youth and potential make him a long-term investment, though competition and Malmö’s valuation could complicate matters.
2. Charlie Hughes (Hull City)
Hull City’s 21-year-old Charlie Hughes is another strong contender, especially given Selles’ prior work with him. Hughes excels at ball progression through passing and carrying, aligning with United’s possession-based ambitions. His modern defending style suits Selles’ tactics, but Hull’s financial constraints may drive a high asking price, and their reluctance to sell a key asset could hinder negotiations. Hughes’ potential makes him a promising Ahmedhodžić successor if the deal can be struck.
3. Japhet Tanganga (Millwall)
Millwall’s 26-year-old centre-back Japhet Tanganga offers pace and recovery ability akin to Ahmedhodžić, making him a solid short-term option. While his passing is less refined, likely due to Millwall’s direct style, his sweeper-like qualities could complement United’s defenders. His aerial duel success (56th percentile in the Championship) is a slight concern, and Millwall may demand a premium fee. Still, Tanganga’s Championship experience makes him a practical choice.
