Sheffield Wednesday contract talks with one of their first-team stars have ‘stalled’, reports Dom Howson.
Sheffield Wednesday are set to see 18 first-team players leave Hillsborough in the summer.
The club has a horde of players either out of contract or set to see their loan deals expire, leaving the Owls with yet another summer rebuilding job.
Barry Bannan is one of those out of contract in the summer and he’s recently criticised the club for their management of player contracts, saying:
“It’s about having a bit of clarity for players going forward. I don’t think at a club this should happen. It’s not a great situation. If people’s futures were clearer then it’s a lot easier for them, but like I said, you’ve got to put the club first at this period of time. The club is paying your wages so you need to go out and fight until your contract is over and what will be will be.”
Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper crisis
The no.1 spot has been a contested one this season.
During the opening stages of the season, Cameron Dawson and Devis Vasquez were sharing the starting spot, with some fans preferring Dawson and others Vasquez.
But upon Danny Rohl‘s arrival, he’d take a preference to Dawson who’s featured 18 times in the Championship this season, with four clean sheets.
Dawson was heavily criticised in the build up to January, prompting the Owls to bring in James Beadle on loan from Brighton.
Beadle has since shone keeping six clean sheets in 16 Championship appearances for Sheffield Wednesday.
But the Owls see Dawson’s contract expire in the summer and Beadle’s loan deal come to an end, leaving Pierce Charles as the only first-team goalkeeper.
Sheffield Wednesday contract talks with Pierce Charles stall
Charles, 18, made his first-team debut in the FA Cup against Coventry City earlier this year.
And Charles made some impressive saves in the initial 1-1 draw, then featuring in the 4-1 defeat in the replay.
The Northern Ireland U21s international is yet to make his Championship debut but has featured on the bench on several occasions.
Described as an ‘outstanding’ player by teammate Josh Windass, Charles is under contract at Hillsborough until 2025.
It now seems like the club are keen to extend his stay, but journalist Howson has revealed that renewal talks with the youngster have hit an impasse.
Howson posted on X:
Pierce Charles must take this stance on his future
Right now, Charles seems to hold all the cards.
Sheffield Wednesday will be desperate to keep him; not only because he’s a good young player but because he’s their only current option in goal for next season.
Charles looks set to play as no.2 next time round with Sheffield Wednesday no doubt set to sign an experienced goalkeeper on a free transfer.
And Charles, if Sheffield Wednesday want him to commit his future to the club, should get a guarantee on game time.
He should put his case forward to be the club’s no.1 goalkeeper next time round, especially so if the Owls are relegated.
Charles may be inexperienced but he’s turning heads on the international stage and in the brief glimpse that fans got of him earlier in the season, they were impressed.
Although plenty of players are leaving Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, it may give the likes of Charles and more to really breakthrough and impress.