Sheffield Wednesday loaned youngster Bailey Cadamarteri to League One hopefuls Lincoln City during the summer transfer window.
What to do with Bailey Cadamarteri was a key decision for Sheffield Wednesday and manager Danny Rohl during the summer.
Rohl had given the 19-year-old his first-team debut last season. Cadamarteri went on to score four goals in 23 Championship outings as the Owls beat the drop.
There was plenty of loan interest in Cadamarteri at Sheffield Wednesday during the summer months. But Lincoln City eventually snapped him up on a season-long loan spell, and he’s flourished since.
The Owls academy graduate has scored five goals in all competitions for the Imps, making him their top scorer in all competitions this season.
Speaking to Sheffield Wednesday News recently, Lincoln City expert Jamie Johnson gave his verdict on Cadamarteri, and whether or not he thinks the striker will be Championship-ready come next season.
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Bailey Cadamarteri reflects on Lincoln City loan spell, says he’s ‘ready’
Now, Cadamarteri himself has opened up on his loan spell with Lincoln City so far this season.
He discussed his last season at Sheffield Wednesday and how he’s now ready to play more regular football.
Speaking ahead of the Imps’ long-haul trip to Exeter City this weekend, Cadamarteri told the club: “I’m enjoying my time here so far.
“Obviously, I’ve come here to play games, come from the Championship, come to League One, come to play games, come to score a few goals for this club, so I feel like I’m doing so and staking a claim to play in this team.”
Speaking about the quality of football in League One compared to the Championship, he said: “It’s been good. Obviously it’s been a lot different, but I feel like I’m at a different stage in my career now.
“I’ve done my last year of coming in off the bench, playing the odd game in my first season, but now I’m in my second season and I’m ready.”
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Sheffield Wednesday fans calling for Bailey Cadamarteri recall amid Ike Ugbo woes
Whilst Cadamarteri is shining on loan for Lincoln City, back at Hillsborough, marquee summer signing Ike Ugbo is failing to find the back of the net.
He’s yet to score in 14 Championship outings this season and Sheffield Wednesday fans have been critical of Ugbo throughout.
Rohl has defended Ugbo’s form of late. But at times this season, Sheffield Wednesday fans have called for Cadamarteri’s return to S6 in January, in order to give the Owls more of an attacking threat.
That, right now anyway, feels very unlikely. Rohl will be delighted that Cadamarteri is progressing well and he won’t want to hinder that development.
If Cadamarteri returns, he’ll no doubt start on the bench in most games and that won’t do his development any favours.