Bassett: I hope Wilder breaks all my records and gets club into Europe
CHRIS WILDER has gleaned much from Dave Bassett – and his mentor will be delighted if he takes his Sheffield United records too.
Bassett’s protege can beat his clubrecord of most points from a top-flight campaign of 57 set in 1992, and he has a better points-per-game average this season of 1.5, compared to Bassett’s 1.36.
Wilder could yet lead the Blades into Europe for the first time in their 131-year history and Bassett says he deserves to replace him as the club’s best modern-day manager.
“I’d be delighted for him if he broke my points record,” said Bassett. “I’m not worried about losing any records, they’re there to be beaten.
“I was voted Sheffield United’s best manager ever a couple of years ago by the fans but, if Chris now gets that, then fair play to him.
“I want Chris and the club to do well. I had eight years there, the first six months were s**t, the last year was s**t but, in between, were some of the best times of my life. Time moves on and Chris is having a great time now. I hope they get into Europe and it would be great if they could have a little trample in Europe.”
Bassett (right) claims Wilder, who played under him at United 30 years ago, should be Manager of the
Year and that he has exploded the myth that only foreign coaches can succeed in the Premier League.
“Jurgen Klopp has done unbelievable in winning all those games, it’s exceptional,” he said.
“Chris has also done extremely well. If he gets into Europe, he should be Manager of the Year.
“He’s killed the myth that you have to be a foreign messiah to succeed in the Premier League.”
Wilder can equal Bassett’s points tally with victory tonight over struggling Everton at Bramall Lane, but standing in his way is former Blades starlet Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Wilder had the striker on loan at
Northampton Town five years ago when he was 18, and has tipped him to play for England after scoring a career-best 15 goals this season.
“Why not?” said the Blades boss. “He’s scored 15 goals, he’s a modern-day centre-forward, he defends from the front. He’s athletic, he’s technically brave and strong.
“I thought it was brave of him to go out on loan with us and get his hands dirty, which he certainly did, and he scored some important goals.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Dom, he’s a tremendous kid.”
CARLO ANCELOTTI has made no secret of wanting to reshape the Everton squad over the summer, but is backing struggling Moise Kean to come good next season.
The 20-year-old Italian forward joined from Juventus 12 months ago, and 23 of his 28 league appearances have been off bench as he tries to adjust.
But he could be on from kick-off tonight against Sheffield United and Ancelotti already knows where Kean will be playing next term.
“It’s a possibility he can start,” said the Toffees boss (above). “But the plan we have for him doesn’t change. He will be our player next season and have more opportunities.
“He’s learned about the environment in this club and developed his relationship with his team-mates. It takes time. He’s really young, a player with potential and a lot of quality.”