Sheffield Wednesday might need to sign as many as four players for one position this summer
Sheffield Wednesday need to strengthen their squad across the board this summer - but their midfield department currently looks particularly light.
Alongside confirmation of Jaden Heskey’s return to Manchester City, Sheffield Wednesday’s retained list also confirmed the departures of fellow midfielders Nathaniel Chalobah, Marvelous Nakamba and Rio Shipston.
The Owls, following relegation to League One, issued their retained list just over a fortnight ago, revealing eight players will leave Hillsborough when their contracts officially expire at the end of June. That figure could still rise amid ongoing discussions with other individuals who are out-of-contract later this month.
Wednesday, though, have tied Player of the Year Svante Ingelsson down for another year, triggering a one-year extension to extend his stay in S6 until next summer. However, with other clubs expressing interest in the Swede, there is no guarantee he will still be a Wednesday player come the start of next season or the end of the summer transfer window.
Nevertheless, Ingelsson, at this moment in time, is still a Wednesday player, and it will take a bid from any of his suitors to try and lure him away from Hillsborough. The Star reported last month that Stoke City are interested in the energetic midfielder.
However, at this particular juncture, Ingelsson is the only senior midfielder under contract for next season, highlighting the amount of work that is going to be required in that particular area of the team over the summer. Youngster Jarvis Thornton showed flashes of his potential at various stages last term and the Owls have offered him a new contract in an attempt to tie him down.
Amid manager Henrik Pedersen’s hint that Wednesday could switch to a four-at-the-back formation next term, there is a possible likelihood he could change the Owls’ primary shape to a 4-2-3-1. As a result of the situation the Owls found themselves in this season, amid a lack of options and their position at the foot of the Championship, Pedersen went with a back-five to try and minimise the damage.
A switch to a back-four would, of course, shift the onus onto natural wingers to provide ammunition from the flanks rather than wing-backs.
The prospect of a 4-2-3-1 system being implemented at Hillsborough means Wednesday will require depth in the engine room, particularly to fill the two roles in front of the defensive line. Recently released duo Chalobah and Nakamba are defensive-minded operators, meaning they could have been candidates to fill those roles had they been retained.
Wednesday, however, want to move in a different direction, and rightfully so. They need fresh blood all over the pitch and a midfield rebuild will be central to creating a new spine of the team.
Wednesday will play a minimum of 51 matches next season, highlighting the importance of squad depth and rotation, meaning plenty of work will be required in the defensive-midfield department. Alongside Reading midfielder Andy Rinomhota, Barry Bannan, of course, is a name that has been discussed and the prospect of a Wednesday homecoming cannot be ruled out at this stage.
He did enough during his first Wednesday spell to demonstrate he is at his best when playing in a deeper role, dictating the play and spotting passes. He could easily fill one of the two midfield berths in a 4-2-3-1 system.
But if that shape is to become Pedersen’s primary formation, it is not unrealistic to suggest four signings, considering the current condition of the squad, could be necessary. Ingelsson is suited to playing further forward, either as a No.10 or as an inside winger, meaning he should not be considered as an option for one of the deeper roles.
With League One, the League Cup, the FA Cup and the Vertu Trophy to navigate next season, Pedersen will want to allow for rotation, meaning he will often want to switch up his midfield axis. Having a minimum of four candidates to fill the two deep-lying midfield roles would provide room for manoeuvre and the option to keep everyone fresh.
Healthy competition for places, too, is something Wednesday desperately need next term. Following last summer’s exodus, they were left incredibly thin on the ground in most positions, meaning several players started by default amid a lack of alternative options.
Although Wednesday need to strengthen practically every department this summer, there is an argument to suggest their midfield rebuild will require the most care and attention.