Pol Valentin is a huge fan favourite at Sheffield Wednesday. But he doesn’t play as much as many fans think he should.
For the game at Hull City on Tuesday night, Danny Rohl handed Pol Valentin what’s now become a rare start, after he shone for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship last season.
The Spanish right-back joined on a permanent deal under Xisco Munoz in the summer of 2023. But after Sheffield Wednesday appointed Rohl in the October, Valentin really started to prove his worth.
He went on to make 36 Championship appearances for the Owls. And he has 15 to his name this season, but the 27-year-old has only started six games in the league so far.
Summer signing Yan Valery is the preferred choice on the right, though Valery played as one of three centre-backs against Hull City on Tuesday night.
Sheffield Wednesday beat Hull City 2-0 courtesy of goals from Josh Windass and Michael Smith in what proved to be a convincing win for the Owls.
Pol Valentin’s Sheffield Wednesday message perfectly sums him up
Valentin is nothing if not a team player. He works relentlessly for the team and really suits what is a fast and intense Sheffield Wednesday side under Rohl.
Since the arrival of Valery, Valentin has found gametime limited. But he’s not kicked up a fuss, and still puts in maximum effort when he’s given his chance.
Then after starting against Hull, and really impressing too, Valentin posted a message to fans which sums up just how much of a team player he is.
The Spaniard posted on X: “Happy to help the team achieve a very important win. Let’s look forward.”
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The latest on Pol Valentin’s Sheffield Wednesday contract
Earlier in the season, Rohl revealed that Sheffield Wednesday contract talks were already underway, keen to avoid a repeat of last season’s contract fiasco.
Soon after, it was then revealed that Sheffield Wednesday wanted to hand Valentin a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of this season.
The right-back had interest during the summer transfer window, it was later revealed, with Maccabi Tel Aviv enquiring about Valentin but being immediately knocked back by the Owls.
After his performance at Hull, it looks like Valentin will get another start against Derby County on Sunday afternoon.
This could spark a run of starts for Valentin which could in turn prompt the club to ramp up contract negotiations with the flying full-back.