Sheffield United have acted early in the January window, with Chris Wilder moving quickly to seal a deal for Everton midfielder Kieran Dowell.

The youngster, who spent a successful spell with Nottingham Forest last term, has made the move to Bramall Lane on a loan deal until the end of the season after failing to nail down a place in the Toffees' line up this season under Marco Silva.

The signing of the 20-year-old is a big coup for the Blades, with plenty of clubs no doubt keeping tabs on the England youngster ahead of the January window opening.

And here at FLW, we think the signing of Dowell is exactly what Sheffield United needed if they are to maintain their push for promotion, with the Blades knowing full well they need more squad depth and quality if they are to keep up the pressure in the top six.

With that thought in mind, we've taken a look at TWO reasons why Sheffield United can make the top six thanks to the signing of Dowell...

 

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He's a ready made Duffy replacement

One of the big issues in the Blades XI is that if Mark Duffy is not firing or fit, then the United can often struggle to create. Dowell will solve this problem.

The youngster can slot perfectly into the number 10 role what Duffy occupies so well at Bramall Lane, and it will take some of the pressure off the experienced midfielder too.

It really is a shrewd piece of business by the club.

Long range shooting

For all the lovely and eye catching football United play, they need that extra option of shots from range, and Dowell will bring that with him in abundance.

He has a knack of firing in from distance as proven with Forest and the England youth teams, and this is a massive plus for the Blades.

If Dowell can bang in four or five screamers to win or salvage games for the Blades, then it might well be just enough to see them into a top six slot.