Why Jacob Murphy should return to Sheffield Wednesday next season despite Newcastle United ambition

The Owls boss has already made clear his desire to turn the feel of the squad on its head, holding little back in his view of a changing room that has been ‘too comfortable for too long’ after defeats at Wigan and Brentford.

Speaking to the media last week Monk hinted at the uncertainty the changing face of football finance has thrown on how he will be able to go about his business and how it might affect what will be a much-shortened transfer window.

Many Championship clubs will be consigned to loan signings and free transfers, which opens up the question of whether Monk will turn to any of his five current loanees for another stint.

After a difficult start to life at Hillsborough, Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy has perhaps been the most obvious success story, hitting form as those around him lost theirs as the club turned into 2020. He’s Wednesday’s second-top scorer with five goals.

Speaking in March, the wide man opened up on his determination to become a regular at St James Park having not made much of an impact after his £10m move from Norwich.

This is the eighth lone move of what has been a nomadic career for the 25-year-old. And given the ark he has enjoyed at Wednesday, there is growing wisdom behind the idea that another season at Hillsborough would do him good, especially given the continued uncertainty over a possible Newcastle takeover.

Speaking in the final weeks before the suspension of football Monk waxed lyrical on the improvements Murphy has made this season.

He said: “The easiest way to do it is looking at him from when I first came in here to where I look at him now, I think in my opinion he’s improved a lot.

“There’s still a long way for him to go and still things for him to improve on, but on the football side of it in terms of his contribution and in terms of him on the mental side of it and how he gets himself to a position in games defensively and offensively, his attitude towards it has definitely improved.

“I’ve been very, very pleased with him and he’s been a joy to work with.”

And Murphy has been equally complimentary of Monk’s role in his Wednesday revival comeback.

He said: “From him being here it has given me more of a hunger and fire in the belly.

“I think the gaffer has helped me get to where I needed to be with my own self-belief and stuff.

“We have had few chats and he has been a massive help to get me to this level, so I can show it on the pitch.”

“Credit to Garry Monk, he has changed my mentality, he has helped me a lot.

“When we have meetings, he sends powerful messages, and they have sunk in.

“He gets me to see things from a different perspective.”