Sheffield Wednesday have been told to tie down Bailey Cadamarteri to a new contract sooner rather than later.
Speaking to Football League World, Carlton Palmer said that the Owls an’t afford to lose another academy graduate.
Bailey Cadamarteri joined Sheffield Wednesday at eight years old – the same year that his father Danny retired from professional football.
The teenager was previously linked with a move to the Premier League following his brilliant form for the Under-18s, before signing his first professional contract last summer.
Cadamarteri went onto make his senior debut in the EFL Trophy in October 2022, but Darren Moore didn’t think he was ready for a regular position with the first team.
After spending most of the summer on the treatment table, Danny Rohl brought him back into the senior team following his arrival in October. The German handed Cadamarteri his Championship debut last month, before awarding him his first start against Leicester City.
it was only days later that the 18-year-old scored his first goal for the club, as Sheffield Wednesday claimed a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Cadamarteri’s brilliant breakthrough at Hillsborough has led the Owls to open talks over a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in 2025.
Carlton Palmer has now urged Sheffield Wednesday to tie him down quickly, while he is suggested that staying at the club could be the best plan for Cadamarteri.
“He’s an exciting young talent and the Sheffield Wednesday supporters and manager are very, very excited about the prospect of this young lad,” Palmer said.
“It’s important that the club keep hold of academy graduates rather than losing them as they have done in the past.
“So, it’s important that they tie him down to a long-term contract, and I’m sure given he’s getting the opportunity with a young manager, hopefully Sheffield Wednesday will stick with Danny Rohl, who I think has got a bright future in the game, and I think we’ll see more and more of these younger guys getting an opportunity.”
How important could Bailey Cadamarteri be?
Sheffield Wednesday have a rather old squad and have already had the oldest average starting line-up in the Championship this season.
There seems to be very few academy players coming through and being given a chance to impress in the first team, but Bailey Cadamarteri is certainly an exception.
The striker has been really impressive since coming into the squad and it seems like Danny Rohl is the perfect man to get the very best out of him.
There is no doubt that other clubs will come in for him if he keeps rapidly improving, and they may not be able to do much about it if they are relegated.
Tying Cadamarteri down to a new contract should be a main priority during the January transfer window.