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Chris Wilder has spoken of the closeness of his Sheffield United players with the late George Baldock Chris Wilder says his Sheffield United players have found this week difficult following the shock death of former Blades defender George Baldock. The Greece international was found dead in his swimming pool in Athens last week. The full-back spent seven years at Bramall Lane, playing 219 games and helping the South Yorkshire club to two promotions to the Premier League, before joining Panathinaikos in the Greek Super League in the summer. Wilder signed Baldock in 2017 after working with him at Oxford United, and said the club was still trying to cope with the news as they prepare for Friday's Championship fixture at Leeds United. "It's been really difficult, " Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield. "It puts everything into perspective, doesn't it? "We're in the industry of football, we're football people, but there's something miles bigger than the game of football on Friday. "I'm having to talk about the game, and having to talk about the sad passing of a player that meant so much to everybody here at Sheffield United. " Chris Wilder with George Baldock in April 2018 Wilder initially signed Baldock on loan at Oxford United from MK Dons, where his career had been punctuated by a series of loans. He went from that uncertainty to playing in the Premier League under both Wilder and his successor Paul Heckingbottom. "Everybody admired how he went about his business, how his career went from where it did to being an international footballer, and just his general personality around the place, that we all got to know and love, " added Wilder. "The words that have been said nailed it for me. The Greek national team, how they conducted themselves over two internationals, and Panathinaikos, was outstanding, and now we have as well. "People don’t realise how close these boys are. The culture and unity we try to create in the football club; the environment and togetherness there has to be for a successful football team, there are relationships all the way through. "I spoke to the players really quickly after the passing of George, what he was about, my memories of him. They are together five or six days a week, from nine o’clock to half past three, four o’clock, travelling on coaches, training every day, in hotels for away games, so their connection is huge. "You might see an auntie or uncle once every three or four weeks, or see a friend once every two or three months, but these boys are in each others' pockets 24/7 for 10 or 11 months of the season. "But we have to get on with life, do what’s right and do what George would have wanted us to do, and so we have to crack on now. " Latest Sheffield United news, analysis and fan views Get Sheffield United news sent straight to your phone Australia shocked in World Cup semis by South Africa England on brink after poor start to Multan chase How did Tuchel's England appointment happen so quickly and quietly? Discovering how the cold has shaped our planet Helen Czerski takes us on a spectacular journey to the extremes of the temperature scale What's the fairest voting system? 2024 is the biggest election year in history - but which voting system is the fairest? Military drama starring Lacey Turner and Michelle Keegan A female medic joins a tight-knit army unit as they fight for survival and face the unthinkable A pioneering TV news service Norway's TV BRA has a unique national news show presented by reporters who have learning disabilities or are autistic How did Tuchel's England appointment happen so quickly and quietly? From heart op to England return - how Isiekwe fought back From Accrington Stanley to England No 2 - who is 'all round good egg' Barry? What does Norris need to do to beat Verstappen? Why the short contract? How will he play? Tuchel's England move explained Eliminated England aren't fit enough - Hartley Tuchel - a sacrifice of principle or best man for England job? Vote now for your BBC Women's Footballer of the Year All too familiar as England crumble when it matters most Is there a danger of F1 becoming the best rich drivers? Meet the nominees for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year. Video Meet the nominees for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year Harris 'Superman' touchdown leads best plays of NFL week six. Video Harris 'Superman' touchdown leads best plays of NFL week six 'I joked I'd give him £500 if he scored' - but did Trent experiment work? Shaw scores twice as Man City go top of WSL. Video Shaw scores twice as Man City go top of WSL Chepngetich breaks marathon world record. Video Chepngetich breaks marathon world record Are quadruple-winning Wigan now the greatest? © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.