Sheffield Wednesday: Portuguese contingent are '˜better prepared' for next season

That is the verdict of Owls stalwart Jose Semedo who believes Wednesdayites will see the best of his fellow countrymen at the club next season.

Marco Matias and Lucas Joao both arrived at Hillsborough last summer and have endured mixed results.

Matias’ Owls career started brightly but injury problems blighted his season.

And Joao hit his stride early but struggled to replicate his form after the turn of the year.

But Semedo is convinced the best is yet to come from the duo now they have acclimatised to the English game.

“The Portuguese players are now used to English football,” he said. “They know what to expect.

“For them last year, it was a big change.

“It is completely different in England.

“Now they are more ready for it and I think you will see the best of them for sure.”

Semedo this week signed a new one-year deal with Wednesday despite struggling for game time last season.

His popularity in the dressing room and leadership ability are thought to have been key reasons why head coach Carlos Carvalhal opted to offer the 31-year-old a new contract.

About to enter his sixth season with the club, Semedo is one of the club’s longest serving players and is undoubtedly a favourite of plenty of Owls supporters.

His nationality also means he can provide a bridge between compatriot Carvalhal, the Portuguese coaching staff and the players.

Semedo’s role in the dressing room is not one on which he seeks to put too much emphasis.

And he insists the team spirit at the club is not something which requires a lot of work to foster.

He said: “This is a very easy dressing room. We all know what we want.

“We all work hard for each other and that is the key.”