Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen makes Jaden Heskey admission and reveals position plan
Jaden Heskey has joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Manchester City for the remainder of the season.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has outlined where he expects Jaden Heskey to play the bulk of his football during his time at Hillsborough, admitting he is a player with “big potential”.
Heskey made his Wednesday debut in the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth at Hillsborough, stepping off the bench in the second half to replace Jarvis Thornton, less than 24 hours after his arrival from Manchester City was confirmed.
Wednesday completed the signing of the 20-year-old on Friday after City agreed to send him to S6 on loan for the remainder of the season. The Owls were given permission to bring two players in on loan earlier this month following discussions with the English Football League [EFL].
Heskey’s temporary move to Hillsborough marks his first loan spell of his career, meaning he will be itching to try and make the most of his first opportunity to try and store some regular first-team football under his belt.
Delighted to have signed the youngster after expressing interest in his services back in the summer, Pedersen has outlined what he believes Heskey will bring to the table.
“I think Jaden is a very interesting young player with a big potential,” Pedersen told The Star. “I think defensively he's a running player, he's tactically strong, and he's strong in his duels, he's good for the second ball in championship football.
“Of course he has to adapt defensively to a Championship game because he's not used to playing with this intensity.
“On the ball, he's generally very, very strong. On the ball for his technical ability to keep the ball, to keep possession, and we have to work with him to get more verticality so he bypasses more opponents. But I think he's a very interesting profile for a club like us.”
Pedersen opens up on Heskey plan
Heskey started his career as a striker but was later trialled as a midfielder by City’s Elite Development Squad boss, Ben Wilkinson, who is the son of former Wednesday player, manager and interim chairman Howard. Heskey went on record just over two years ago saying he was enjoying playing as a No.8, and Pedersen has hinted that he plans to predominantly use him in the engine room.
Pedersen continued: “Years ago he played as a striker and then he played a lot as a No.10 for Man City. But also what we have spoken with Man City about is also to play the double six or double eight when we have two in the midfield, one together with Barry [Bannan].
“So here we will also see him a lot.”
Heskey is the second youngster to have moved to Hillsborough on loan from one of the two Manchester giants this season, following in the footsteps of Harry Amass, who recently returned to Manchester United after a successful stint with the Owls.
Pedersen believes the successful nature of Amass’ stint at the club stood Wednesday in good stead when trying to get an agreement in place for Heskey.
“Yes, of course,” added Pedersen when asked if he felt Amass’ time at Hillsborough supported Wednesday’s chances of signing another Premier League youngster.
“We have had some really good conversations with City and we are very pleased for the help they are doing for us and the support they are giving with Jaden, but also the financial support.”