Emile Heskey on why Jaden chose Sheffield Wednesday over others and their big promotion hope
Jaden Heskey is a Sheffield Wednesday player once more after a summer-long pursuit to bring him back to Hillsborough.
There’s something of a tradition brewing on Sheffield Wednesday away days, whereby players standing to salute the gathered thousands are greeted by the song of the player they want to see pushed to the front to lead the celebrations. At Wycombe Wanderers last week, the name they received was Jaden Heskey.
The Manchester City loanee, who joined in January of last season to be thrust into the difficulties of all that came with it, was signed as an Owl once again just the day before after Wednesday patience throughout the summer. His introduction was a game-changing switch to the clash and helped chip away at Wycombe’s momentum to turn the match further in Wednesday’s favour.
It was a mature technical effort and the display of his reception by supporters was one of jubilation. The Owls required a player of his profile in midfield and he brings a new option to Henrik Pedersen’s arsenal. Though his starting effort at Peterborough United a few days later was perhaps not quite so catching, it’s all part of the process for a talented young player whose contribution to the second half of last season was understated.
One man who is delighted at the prospect of a full season’s experience at Hillsborough is his former England international footballer dad Emile. Asked on the positivity felt at Wednesday off the back of its takeover and stellar start to the campaign, the 48-year-old said: “It was good last year as well, to be honest. They were tough times, but the fans got behind them regardless of what was going on at the club. The fans were amazing.
“For him, going into that environment meant he had to work very hard. It’s different from playing Under-18s or Under-21s, where you might have 90 per cent of the possession. You’ve got to run around, tackle, keep the ball and win your headers. It was really good for him. It was a bit of a baptism of fire, but he understands first-team football now. It’s about winning and winning at all costs. He lost more games than he won, but he understands it.”
Jaden’s re-signing to Wednesday was a pursuit spanning several months and came in the final days of a window in which their interest was sparked early. In an interview facilitated in part for The Star, Emile Heskey was speaking on behalf of Casino Kings when he made clear there was plenty of rival interest - and that there seemed to be a belief within the Owls squad throughout the summer that something could be done to bring him back.
Despite an experience in football that saw him claim 62 England caps, the former Liverpool forward isn’t one to dictate to his sons one way or another when it comes to their football decisions. His other son, Reigan, joined Bundesliga side 1. FC Köln in the summer from Manchester City. A return to Wednesday, Emile said, was Jaden’s choice.
“He had quite a few other ones (clubs interested), but he chose to go back to Sheffield Wednesday,” he continued. “He knows a lot of the lads. I think he was still in the bloody WhatsApp group! They were contacting him and talking to him. There’s also the simple fact that he needs to play football. He’s 21 in December. He needs to consistently play and understand what it means to be a footballer.
“With his agents, we discuss things, but ultimately it’s down to him and what he wants to do. The reality is that you’ve got to be playing games. If you’re still playing Under-21s, there’s something not quite right. You’ve got to go out and play with adults.
“You’ve got to understand that the guy next to you needs that win bonus. The one next to him needs to pay his mortgage. You’re 20 years old with not a care in the world. You need those pressures, and going out on loan and playing with adults gives you that. You get a proper understanding of the pressures of football day in, day out.”
These are early days and by the intimation of Owls boss Henrik Pedersen, there are still improvements to be made if Wednesday are to reach their potential and maintain their rise to the top of the League One table. Heskey and others will be part of that effort - and Emile is gunning for his son to get his hands on a promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Asked what the aims and objectives are for his son’s loan, Heskey senior said: “As many minutes as possible and hopefully to win something. If they’ve got the opportunity to get promoted and be in that fight for promotion, hopefully he’ll be part of that fight as well. He’s experienced the pressures at the bottom. Now hopefully he’ll experience the pressures of being at the top, where you’re trying to keep picking up points and can’t afford to drop them.”