Jaden Heskey has already outlined what he can bring to Sheffield Wednesday amid transfer interest
Sheffield Wednesday have identified Manchester City youngster Jaden Heskey as a target amid their desire to strengthen their squad this month.
Manchester City youngster Jaden Heskey has already documented the level of versatility he will bring to Sheffield Wednesday in the event of a loan move coming to fruition this month.
As reported by The Star on Wednesday morning, the Owls are understood to have reignited their interest in the City academy graduate, and are hopeful of being able to bring him to Hillsborough during this month’s transfer window after being given permission to sign two loanees.
Wednesday, who are desperate for fresh blood to ease some of the pressure on the existing members of their squad, have been given the green light to sign two loan players where they do not have to contribute to the finances involved.
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Heskey, 20, was on Wednesday’s radar back in the summer, but they did not get the green light they needed when they wanted to bring him to S6 on a temporary deal. However, there is hope something could materialise this month instead.
Heskey, who is the captain of City’s Elite Development Squad (Under-21s), made his senior debut for the Premier League title hopefuls earlier this season, coming off the bench in a Carabao Cup third round triumph over Huddersfield Town. He has been with City’s academy since the age of eight, and he has worked his way up through the ranks.
But after originally starting out as a striker, he now finds himself regularly pulling the strings in midfield, meaning it is in the latter area where he would be expected to earn the bulk of his football in the event of him moving to Hillsborough this month.
Heskey has been at the centre of a positional switch
After being trialed as a midfielder at the start of the 2023/24 season by City’s Elite Development Squad boss, Ben Wilkinson, who is the son of former Wednesday player, manager and interim chairman Howard, the youngster quickly got to grips with playing in the engine room, an area which is now considered as his most natural habitat.
"I've enjoyed playing at No.8, to be fair - I've liked it," Heskey told the Manchester Evening News, speaking back in December 2023.
"I played there for [the] Under-16s for a few games because of injuries, but I have enjoyed it. You can go up and down, and I feel I am good defensively, so I get to use that a bit more.
"You feel more involved in the game as well in midfield rather than striker. I like both positions, but I've discovered I can play in midfield as well.
"As a striker, I'm a pressing forward, high intensity. I try and make the game as difficult for the defenders as possible. Holding up the play when it comes to me, bringing others into play.
"Out of possession, I try to press, make sure I'm running around and helping the team out. In midfield, it's similar out of possession, making sure you press and in the right position defensively. That's helped a bit, understanding more about the team's compactness - being in midfield you've got to make sure you're central and picking up players.
"As a striker, you don't have to defend as much. Midfield is still important out of possession, but in possession, you're receiving more in the pockets. You can open up more and drive with the ball. It's different, but I enjoy it."