When Sheffield United announced the signing of attacking midfielder Callum O’Hare, social media buzzed with negative and bitter comments from Coventry City supporters. O’Hare, 26, had spent four years with the Sky Blues, scoring 22 goals and providing 30 assists, with some key contributions including a vital goal in last season’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.
One Coventry City fan pundit expressed to Football League World that O’Hare’s move to Sheffield United seemed more like a lateral move. The fan questioned O’Hare’s numbers from the last season—six goals and three assists in 31 league games—and noted that they didn’t seem impressive for a marquee number ten signing, especially one intended to push for promotion.
Despite the criticism, a closer look at O’Hare’s stats paints a different picture. His 31 league games included only 18 starts, averaging 57 minutes per game. Given that context, six goals and three assists are notable, especially as he was recovering from a significant injury. During the 2020/21 Championship season, O’Hare recorded three goals and eight assists, and the following season, he contributed five goals and eight assists, totaling 24 goal contributions over two seasons despite not taking free kicks or penalties.
Statistically, O’Hare emerged as one of the standout attacking midfielders in the Championship last season. His defensive work was particularly strong, ranking in the 82nd percentile for tackles and the 92nd percentile for dispossessions. Offensively, he excelled in maintaining possession in congested areas, ranking in the 83rd percentile for touches in the attacking third and the 87th percentile for offensive duels. His ability to draw fouls placed him in the 84th percentile, reflecting his skill in handling pressure and disrupting opponents.
In the final third, O’Hare’s dribbling created valuable opportunities, ranking in the 76th percentile for shot-creating actions and an impressive 99th percentile for goal-creating actions from take-ons. His passing also contributed significantly, with key passes ranking in the 67th percentile and expected assists in the 77th percentile.
O’Hare’s ideal role is as a central attacking midfielder, where he can contribute to overloads on either wing. His heatmap from last season shows his dynamic presence across the attacking third, often engaging on both flanks despite his central position.
Comparing O’Hare to Stephy Mavididi, who had a stellar season with Leicester City, suggests that O’Hare could be poised for a breakout year if he remains injury-free. Despite missing 50 games in the 2022/23 season due to injuries, O’Hare’s stats for goal-creating actions and shot-creating actions surpass those of Mavididi.
While concerns about O’Hare’s injury history persist, his potential for a standout season remains high, indicating that Sheffield United may have made a savvy signing.