Sheffield Wednesday made four signings in January, with one name arriving being James Beadle.
There was a lot of fan speculation that Sheffield Wednesday sign a new goalkeeper in last month’s transfer window, following some poor performances from Cameron Dawson in the first half of the season.
And Danny Rohl eventually brought in Beadle on loan from Brighton; the 19-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Oxford United from Brighton, where his good range of passing caught the eye.
He’s since featured seven times in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday. And whilst his passing ability is there for all to see, his shot-stopping ability has also been on display with Beadle having kept three clean sheets so far.
James Beadle reveals why he chose to sign for Sheffield Wednesday
Speaking to The Star, Beadle has now revealed why he chose to sign for Sheffield Wednesday, after the England U20s man had interest from other clubs.
He said:
“There were a few factors. Sal [Bibbo] was one of them, the gaffer was one of them – everyone speaks so highly of him. Obviously it’s a massive club, too.”
Goalkeeper coach Sal Bibbo joined Sheffield Wednesday three months ago now, completing Rohl’s impressive backroom team.
The former Arsenal coach has worked with the likes of Petr Cech, Bernd Leno, and World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez, having also had a stint coaching at Reading.
The Danny Rohl factor
Now more than four months since Sheffield Wednesday appointed Rohl, and not a bad word has been said about him.
He’s made a huge impression on everyone outside the club, and inside the club, he seems to be making a lot of good relationships and impressions.
Beadle’s comments show the pull that Rohl has; in the transfer market last month, if the Owls still had Xisco Munoz on charge then they may well have struggled to bring in the likes of Beadle, Ike Ugbo, and Ian Poveda.
But Rohl’s attractive style of play and the feel good factor that he’s brought to Hillsborough has, despite the club’s ongoing fight for survival, made the club a very attractive place for players.
If the Owls beat the drop then come the summer, Wednesday would have an even better pull in the transfer market, and many more players like Beadle could join the ranks.
He’s a young and exciting goalkeeper who really compliments the modern game. His passing suits the style of play at the club, but he’s also pulled off some big saves in the past few games, playing his part in this upturn in form from Sheffield Wednesday.
Up next is a trip to Rotherham United this weekend.