It was announced over the weekend that Sheffield United are keen to tie down two of their existing squad on longer contracts as they look to cement their promotion challenge.

Enda Stevens and Kieron Freeman have been pivotal in the Blades recent charge up the table, and Chris Wilder is now hoping both will sign improved deals to keep them at Bramall Lane.

Both players are full internationals, Stevens with Eire and Freeman with Wales and both are looking to follow in the footsteps of defender Chris Basham and Wilder himself in extending their deals.

Sheffield United's rise up the table has taken many by surprise, with a summer of seemingly muted recruitment behind them, but they're the team everyone needs to catch right now.

Are the Blades wise to tie up their assets on new deals, or should they be looking to replace, not retain?

Our FLW experts discuss.

Lee Connor

Both these players fully deserve any new deal what’s offered.

Stevens has been brilliant, despite some finding faults in his game, he’s missed when not fit.

Freeman meanwhile has proved why he is so important and his versatility makes him the perfect squad player.

Wilder wants continuity, and keeping these two ensures that.

George Harbey

This is important for the Blades.

Freeman and Stevens are integral players for the Blades and can play an important part in their promotion push.

Keeping the majority of their close-knit squad together is a smart move by Wilder.

Jacob Potter

They've both been in excellent form with the Sheffield United side and have played a crucial part in the side's rise to the top of the table.

Stevens has been ever-present in the side this season since his move from Portsmouth in 2017, and the Republic of Ireland international is more than deserving of a place in the side and has fully justified a new deal.

It's a smart move by the club to get them on new deals now, with plenty of potential suitors likely to be chasing the pair, should Sheffield United win promotion to the Premier League this season.

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