First-team players are leaving Sheffield Wednesday thick and fast, leaving the Owls looking likely to have to lean on their youth stars for the season ahead.
With a transfer embargo hanging over Sheffield Wednesday this summer due to failed payments from chairman Dejphon Chansiri, signing new players is going to be difficult.
Meanwhile, those financial issues have seen the likes of Josh Windass and Michael Smith terminate their contracts recently.
And, in his desperation to gather funds, Chansiri has sanctioned cut-price sales, with Djeidi Gassama joining Rangers and Anthony Musaba moving to Turkey.
Now, with the Owls squad at bare bones, it looks like some young players will get the chance to show what they can do in 2025/26. So, here are five of the top talents in S6 to keep an eye on.
Photo by VisionhausFive Sheffield Wednesday youngsters to watchGuilherme Siqueira
Having joined Wednesday from the QPR youth setup back in 2023, Guilherme Siqueira has had to be patient in waiting for first-team opportunities, but his time is coming.
The young Brazilian full-back has made three senior appearances so far, totaling 61 minutes of action. That’s now likely to increase in 2025/26 unless the Owls find a new left-back soon.
With Marvin Johnson and Ryo Hatsuse departing on a free earlier this summer, and Max Lowe tipped to leave, Siqueira may well be the number one choice on the left side of defence.
Rio Shipston
Rio Shipston spent the latter half of last season on loan at Cork City, making 21 appearances for the Irish outfit. He’s now back at Hillsborough, though, and was handed a new contract not long ago.
The young midfielder is a product of the Owls academy and is highly-rated by those in S6. Given the fact Shea Charles returned to Southampton this summer, Barry Bannan will need a new partner in the centre of midfield and Shipston could be the one to step up.
Naturally, a dream Sheffield Wednesday XI this season wouldn’t be reliant on 20-year-olds who have played just five times for the men’s team, but Shipston will relish the chance to show what he can do.
Sean Fusire
Speaking of 20-year-old central midfielders, Sheffield Wednesday have another they can call upon this season, and he’s even more impressive than Shipston.
Sean Fusire is one of the top academy graduates Wednesday have in their ranks, and comes off the back of a solid loan spell in League Two with Carlisle United last season.
He’s a player who was close to breaking into the first-team in 2024/25 anyway, and now appears destined to make his mark in the coming campaign.
Charlie McNeil
Believe it or not, Sheffield Wednesday have a young player in their squad who has been a part of the Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United youth system. And yet, Charlie McNeil has only played 178 minutes for the Owls so far.
The Irish forward has four Championship appearances to his name and bagged two goals against Hull City in the League Cup last season. So, he’s clearly got the talent; now he just needs the opportunity.
With Windass, Gassama, Smith, and Musaba all gone, the Owls desperately need attacking players, and McNeil will be right at the front of the queue.
Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesBailey Cadamarteri
Sheffield Wednesday will regret letting Windass leave, but his exit does open the door for one of the most exciting young players at the club, with Bailey Cadamarteri now arguably the best striker the Owls have got.
He enjoyed a successful loan spell at Lincoln City last season, registering eight goals for the Imps. Cadamarteri also played 23 times and scored four goals for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship in 2023/24, so he’s proven he can handle himself at this level.
We’d be amazed if the 20-year-old isn’t leading the line for the Owls come August, and the fact he will now finally get a full season under his belt at first-team level is one glimmer of hope for many fans around Hillsborough.