Sheffield Wednesday transfer requirements highlighted as depth chart exposes squad weaknesses
Sheffield Wednesday remain in need of fresh blood ahead of the summer transfer window closing in a month’s time.
Sheffield Wednesday took their tally of summer signings to 12 last Friday afternoon by completing the signing of Hull City striker Mason Burstow.
The 22-year-old has joined the Owls on a season-long loan deal, adding some much-needed firepower to Henrik Pedersen's squad. Burstow acquitted himself well during his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers last season, scoring 12 goals to help them secure promotion to the Championship via the League One play-off final.
Signing a striker has been one of Wednesday's top priorities this summer, and there is still a strong case for them to bring in at least one more before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm on September 1.
Burstow was the Owls' third signing in less than 24 hours, following the arrivals of goalkeepers Ashley Maynard-Brewer, whose arrival was confirmed on Friday morning, and Connal Trueman, who arrived on Thursday.
The additions of Maynard-Brewer and Trueman almost certainly mean that the rebuild of the Owls' goalkeeping department is complete, with the duo taking the club's total number of goalkeeping signings this summer to three. Joe Lumley, who returned to Hillsborough from Bristol City last month, is widely expected to start the 2026/27 campaign as Wednesday's No. 1.
Following the events of last season, Wednesday entered the summer knowing that a full-scale squad rebuild would be required. With four weeks of the transfer window remaining, they have brought in 12 new recruits, meaning they have made significant progress, but there is undoubtedly more work to be done.
The prospect of Wednesday ending the transfer window with 20 new signings has not been dismissed, meaning they may be only just over halfway through their recruitment drive.
Ahead of the campaign getting under way against Bolton in the first round of the Carabao Cup at Hillsborough this weekend, here is an overview of how the Owls' first-team squad is shaping up...
Current squad:
Goalkeepers: Joe Lumley, Ashley Maynard-Brewer & Connal Trueman.
Defenders: Liam Palmer, Yan Valery, Jordi Liongola, Sean Fusire, Di’Shon Bernard, Liam Cooper, Ricardo Santos, Sil Swinkels, Gabriel Otegbayo, Ernie Weaver, Cole McGhee, Joe Emery & Max Lowe.
Midfielders: Billy Mitchell, Barry Bannan, Callum Slattery & Jarvis Thornton.
Attackers: Will Grainger, Charlie McNeill, Louie Barry, Harry Gray, Mason Burstow, Jamal Lowe & George Brown.
What are the weaknesses?
As pre-season demonstrated, there was a huge gulf between Wednesday's strongest starting XI and their second string, highlighting the obvious need for greater squad depth. Wednesday lack numbers at left-back, in central midfield, on both flanks and up front, meaning plenty of work is still required before the transfer window closes.
The goalkeeping department has been overhauled, so it would be a surprise to see any further additions in that area of the squad, while the prospect of Yan Valery staying at Hillsborough would almost certainly bring any talk of another right-back coming in to an end.
Although Wednesday have had fitness issues at centre-back during pre-season, they are very well stocked in that area. In fact, they are so well stocked that it would be no surprise to see one or two youngsters head out on loan.
With Pedersen expected to deploy a back four, the left-back department currently lacks depth. Max Lowe will be the Owls' first-choice left-back this season, but the need for a backup option is obvious, as highlighted by Reece James' surprise appearance in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Accrington Stanley.
Following the departures of Nathaniel Chalobah, Marvelous Nakamba, Rio Shipston and former loanee Jaden Heskey at the end of last season, Wednesday's midfield was always going to require a major rebuild. Alongside the return of Bannan, the arrivals of Mitchell and Slattery have created what, on paper at least, looks like an enterprising midfield trio for League One.
With a 4-2-3-1 formation set to be the Owls' preferred system this season, Mitchell and Bannan will be tasked with operating in the No. 6 roles, while Slattery will play in a more advanced position. Thornton, despite making 23 Championship appearances last season, is still in the development phase, and Wednesday need more senior, experienced options to provide competition for Bannan and Mitchell. Wrexham midfielder George Dobson is a known target.
On the flanks, Barry has arrived from Aston Villa to become the Owls' first-choice left-winger. However, Pedersen, during the club's recent trip to Hungary, outlined the need to strengthen the right flank, meaning that position remains an area of concern. Liongola has experience of playing in a more advanced role on the right, but he was described as a "full-back" when he arrived from RAAL La Louvière in June.
As documented, Slattery is set to be Wednesday's chief No.10, with competition and support likely to come from the likes of McNeill and Grainger, who are both versatile attackers. However, there is an argument to suggest the Owls could still benefit from adding another experienced operator in that position. Wrexham's Davis Keillor-Dunn is on their wish list, as revealed by The Star earlier this summer.
At the tip of the attack, Burstow and Gray have been added to Wednesday's list of No.9 options this summer, meaning they will compete with Jamal Lowe and Brown, once he has recovered from his latest injury setback, to lead the line.
Budget restrictions will, of course, dictate what Wednesday can do between now and the end of the transfer window, but it would not be a great surprise to see them add a more senior and experienced striker before the deadline.