The Owls fanbase has endured the wildest of summers already, with chaos behind the scenes. With the new season fast approaching, Sheffield Wednesday will need to put together a team by any means necessary.
Of course, the elephant in the room here is that Sheffield Wednesday cannot pay for any new players as things stand due to the transfer embargo imposed on the club this summer.
In fact, the Owls had three embargoes hanging over them. Two embargoes have been removed thanks to payments to staff and the HMRC finally being made, but the issue remains.
Still, Wednesday will have to rely on loan signings and free agents if they are to bolster their ranks ahead of the new season. With the likes of Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba already gone, new signings will be needed, that’s for sure.
The task of making those changes looks set to fall on the shoulders of Henrik Pedersen, who will replace Danny Rohl imminently. To help him out, we’ve put together a dream Sheffield Wednesday XI that they could start the season with.
Photo by VisionhausWhat a dream Sheffield Wednesday XI could look like after summer transfer windowPierce Charles
Tottenham have expressed an interest in Pierce Charles already this summer, and it was said recently that the young goalkeeper would be sold to ease the financial woes at Wednesday. However, ask any fan and they’ll tell you Charles has to be kept at all costs.
The academy graduate has the potential to be one of the best goalkeepers in the division this season, and losing him would be an absolute disaster.
Yan Valery
Wednesday are going to be pretty short in defensive areas, and with Pol Valentin already gone, Yan Valery will be the number one choice at right-back this season. The French-born Tunisia international does have a shaky moment in his locker, but is usually fairly dependable at the back, while offering plenty going forward, too.
Di’Shon Bernard
Before suffering an injury last season, Di’Shon Bernard was one of Sheffield Wednesday’s top performers. Unfortunately, that does mean the young defender could attract some interest this summer, but he’s someone the club absolutely has to resist selling.
Great in the air, comfortable on the ball, and possessing a brilliant positional awareness, Bernard will be absolutely crucial for the Owls if they are to stay up in 2025/26.
Max Lowe
Max Lowe was linked to Leicester City, but the fact he’s been paid does lower the chances of him leaving. Originally a left-back, Lowe moved into a more central defensive role last year and excelled, and his partnership with Bernard will be very useful indeed.
Kenneth Paal
Wednesday released Marvin Johnson and Ryo Hatsuse this summer, leaving them no options at left-back ahead of the new campaign. They’ll need a new signing then, and we’re putting them down for the capture of former QPR man, Kenneth Paal. He was released last month and would offer a good level of experience at the back.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty ImagesBarry Bannan
With the Danny Rohl issue resolved, Chansiri must surely make a new contract for Barry Bannan his top priority now. The Owls legend is actually out of contract already, but is still training with the club and it’s thought he has no intention to leave at all. Keeping the skipper will be the most important deal Wednesday strike this summer.
Nathaniel Chalobah
Wednesday have been linked with Mohamed Konate in the middle of the park, but the 20-year-old is not going to be an instant starter if he does sign. Instead, Henrik Pedersen may well put his trust in the experienced Nathaniel Chalobah.
Chalobah overcame injury and fitness issues to get his Owls career off the ground in the latter half of last season, and showed real signs of quality. With a full pre-season behind him, he could be the ideal partner for Bannan.
Yang Min-hyeok
With Gassama gone, Sheffield Wednesday are lacking in the wide areas, so another signing is needed here. To solve this, we suggest they try to bring in Yang Min-hyeok from Tottenham Hotspur in a loan deal.
The youngster enjoyed a successful loan spell with QPR last season, with two goals and one assist in 14 games. Spurs will likely loan him out again, and the Owls have to make sure they are at the head of that queue.
Josh Windass
Much has been said about Josh Windass and his future at Hillsborough, but with a one-year extension on his contract triggered and wages paid, the iconic Owls star is going nowhere as things stand.
He bagged 13 goals last season, so Wednesday will be desperate to keep hold of him. If he can deliver anything like that again, they’ll at least have some goals next season.
Lewis Koumas
Like Gassama, Anthony Musaba’s move to Turkey leaves a gaping hole out wide for Wednesday. There are very few options in the free agent market, so we’ll recommend the Owls look for a loanee to fill in on the left.
The top option in that department, if you ask us, is Lewis Koumas. The 19-year-old was borrowed by Stoke City last season, registering six goals and three assists in 49 appearances, and we expect Liverpool to lend him out again this term.
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty ImagesJamie Vardy
We did say this was a dream Sheffield Wednesday XI, and there can be no bigger dream signing for the Owls this summer than Jamie Vardy returning to where his career began. He’s the best free agent in the Championship and will have clubs lining up to sign him. But, Wednesday have that emotional advantage.
We’ve said all summer that there’s a massive chance Vardy joins Sheffield Wednesday despite all their troubles. The thing is, he knows that coming to Hillsborough right now would make him a club hero.
Having Vardy in the team could well be the difference between staying up and going down for Wednesday.