Sheffield United are reportedly closing in on the signing of Septemvri Sofia defender Mihail Polendakov as the club’s owners continue to implement their new data-driven recruitment model.
Sheffield United looked in pole position to achieve automatic promotion last term, but a late-season decline in form saw them finish in third place, and they suffered further heartbreak as they were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in the play-off final.
The Wembley defeat marked the start of a big summer of change at the club, and despite delivering a 90-point season, which would have been 92 had it not been for a two-point deduction, the Blades parted company with manager Chris Wilder by mutual consent earlier this month, with disagreements over the new recruitment strategy said to have been a factor behind his departure.
Wilder has been replaced by former Hull City boss Ruben Selles, who was sacked by the Tigers last month after keeping them in the Championship, and the Spaniard could be set to make his first new addition since taking over at Bramall Lane in the form of Polendakov.
| Mihail Polendakov’s stats for Septemvri Sofia last season (as per Transfermarkt) | |
| Appearances | 32 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 2 |
Polendakov was a regular for Septemvri Sofia last season as they finished 11th in the Bulgarian First League, and it seems his performances caught the eye of United, with a deal to bring the 18-year-old to South Yorkshire thought to be close.
Sheffield United set to complete Mihail Polendakov deal
Since Steve Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy bought the club in December, Sheffield United have already made three signings through their new data-led recruitment model that includes the use of AI, with Jefferson Cacares and Christian Nwachukwu arriving in January before Ehiji Ukaki joined the club earlier this month.
Nwachuku and Ukaki both made the move from Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv, and the Blades are turning to that market once again to sign Polendakov in another deal that looks to have been led by Rosen and Eltoukhy.
Journalist Alan Nixon reporting via his Patreon account has revealed that are moving for the teenage right-back. The AI system being used by United was created by James Bord, who is the part-owner of Polendakov’s current club Septemvri Sofia.
So, while he is known to have established links with the Championship outfit over the past few months, the latest transfer suggests that his influence at Bramall Lane is increasing.
It was claimed that former manager Wilder was keen to recruit more experienced players this summer, but Selles has confirmed that he is comfortable with using the data approach as a “support” to help make the club’s recruitment “more efficient”, and he also revealed that he will have the final say on any incomings.
That would indicate that Selles is firmly on board with the signing of Polendakov, and the defender, who has won four caps for Bulgaria at Under-21 level and numerous more at other levels, looks set to be announced as a Blades player imminently.
Steve Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy are taking a big risk with new Sheffield United strategy
The departure of Wilder and the expected signing of Polendakov underline just how committed Rosen and Eltoukhy are to implementing their new recruitment policy, but it does come with big risks for Sheffield United.
Polendakov may be a highly-rated talent in Bulgaria, but there is no guarantee that he will be able to adapt to the Championship, and while it can be a successful strategy, relying too heavily on the use of data and AI for transfers is a huge gamble – particularly for a club like the Blades, who will be expected to compete for promotion next season.
Having appointed a manager in Selles who is also yet to fully prove himself at second tier level, it could be an intriguing season ahead at Bramall Lane, and with some United supporters still unhappy about the departure of club legend Wilder, a strong start to the campaign will be needed to avoid the pressure building on Rosen and Eltoukhy.
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