Lyle Taylor’s refusal to play explained - and how it could affect Sheffield Wednesday

Taylor, one of the division’s most highly-rated strikers, yesterday announced that with his Charlton deal set to run out at the end of the month, he would not be rejoining his club’s relegation scrap.

We take a look at what’s gone on and explain fears it could have a knock-on effect on the rest of the Championship – including Sheffield Wednesday.

What’s gone on?

Taylor and two other Charlton players – Chris Solly and Birmingham City-owned David Davis – have made it clear they won’t be returning to action with Charlton this season.

With the season extended and set to resume on June 20, it’s been a fear of many clubs in the football league that this might happen as the season extends beyond the end contract dates of around 1,500 players – both those under traditional contracts and on loan deals.

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer broke the news yesterday.

As an aside, Sheffield Wednesday were fleetingly linked with 11-goal forward Taylor in January. A whole host of clubs, including some Premier League clubs, are linked with his signing this summer.

Why have they refused to play?

Admitting he was disappointed with Taylor’s decision, Bowyer revealed his omission is due to him fearing an injury ahead of what he described as a likely ‘life-changing move’ this summer.

Bowyer admitted he felt sympathy for the position his main man found himself in and told talkSPORT: “I speak to him on the phone and he wants to play, but he’s so worried about getting injured that he’s saying, ‘I won’t be the same player for you.’”

It’s an interesting concern that may be one shared with many players up and down the football league – any injury suffered in June or July could scupper any move to already cash-strapped clubs with very little recovery time between the two seasons. Livelihoods are on the line.

What’s the ruling on all this?

The terms of player contracts mean that the vast majority of players whose contracts run out at the end of June get a month’s grace pay from their club should they fail to find a new club immediately, but it’s been made clear that for players to stay on beyond the terms of their contracts, both parties must agree to do so.

In the case of Taylor, the definite end date of his contract is believed to be the end of June, but he’s admitted he’s uncomfortable playing any matches scheduled for before then.

Though the fact that there is wage deferral deal at Charlton means Taylor is not currently being paid, it’s all a bit messy and there’s a fear Charlton’s situation will be the first of many.

As we've seen before in transfer wrangles, player power is strong and if a player refuses to play, there isn’t a great deal that clubs or managers can do about it. In these unprecedented circumstances and with genuine health risks at play, that’s a situation that is only exacerbated.

Are any Wednesday players in a similar boat to Taylor?

It is not thought that any Wednesday players have shown any sign of refusing to play in the short-term, with Garry Monk making clear a fortnight ago he would listen to any concerns their players might have.

The differences between Charlton’s situation to Wednesday’s is that the London club are understood to have struck a deferral deal with their players and so are not currently paying their wages.

Last week Wednesday defender Moses Odubajo told The Star that each of his first-team colleagues had returned to training and noises coming out of the camp suggest a happy and determined atmosphere.

There are, however, several Wednesday players that could face the dilemma of being asked to play beyond the end of their contract.

Steven Fletcher, Morgan Fox and Osaze Urhoghide are believed to have been offered new deals, but there is little known of where the likes of Fernando Forestieri, Atdhe Nuhiu, Sam Winnall, Joey Pelupessy and Kieran Lee stand.

Sam Hutchinson was frozen out of the side long before the coronavirus suspension and is unlikely to be called on.

Joey Pelupessy has previously said he would be happy to extend his stay if required.

What about loan players?

In a similar fashion, all three parties – host club, parent club and player – must agree to an extension in the case of loan players whose stay is set to expire at the end of June.

All five of Wednesday’s loanees – Jacob Murphy, David Bates, Alessio Da Cruz, Josh Windass and Conor Wickham – are understood to be in that position.

Any financial contribution to player wages and so on would presumably have to be carried over from the original deal, although some Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, have waived further fees as a gesture of goodwill towards EFL clubs struggling due to the pause in matchday revenue.

It is not yet known which of Wednesday’s loan players will be called back beyond their current loan – although Murphy, Da Cruz, Windass and Wickham have been pictured training.

Bates hasn’t played under Garry Monk and has trained with the under-23s for much of the season. It would be a surprise if Wednesday were to extend his deal at any cost.

READ MORE:

Former Sheffield Wednesday goal machine released by Hearts

Sheffield Wednesday league rivals 'appalled' by EFL handling of restart announcement

Former Sheffield Wednesday man Chris Kirkland opens up on surprising move into non-league football

An important message:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, please consider a subscription to The Star by going to thestar.co.uk/subscriptions.

The coronavirus lockdown is having a major impact on many of our local advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive. That means we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers and subscribe to our website during this crisis.

Stay safe and take care. Thank you.