Sheffield Wednesday have exercised the option to extend Marvin Johnson’s contract by a further year.
The 33-year-old was a key player for Sheffield Wednesday last term, making 29 appearances and even attracting interest from newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
Johnson could well have been playing Premier League football next season, but the Owls have made a brilliant deal by managing to keep hold of him.
Johnson’s versatility has proven to be key to Danny Rohl, having played a majority of the campaign at left wing-back.
While Akin Famewo has also taken up a role on the left-side of defence, neither of them are natural left-backs and could really benefit from playing in their natural roles.
Sheffield Wednesday need to sign a left-back
With their only natural left-backs currently featuring for the U23s, Sheffield Wednesday really need to look to fill that void over the summer.
It could prove a difficult position to bolster, though there may be one ready-made player who is available for nothing.
Ellis Taylor was released by Sunderland over the summer, with the club’s decision raising many eyebrows after his stellar campaign with their youth team.
The 21-year-old captained the U21s last season and proved to be a real hero, picking up nine goals and two assists in only 17 matches.
Taylor, who can play in either position on the left side, was ‘outstanding’ for the U21s and even netted a hat-trick in the PL2 play-off semi-final against Reading last month.
While the youngster hasn’t been playing senior football, he has been named on the Black Cats’ bench on eight occasions this term.
The Owls could enjoy a real bargain if they snap up Ellis Taylor
Taylor has been tipped to have a big future and there is no doubt there will be plenty of clubs chasing after him now.
He could well have made a mark on Sunderland’s senior squad if it wasn’t for their strength in depth at left-back, with Aji Alese, Niall Huggins, Leo Hjelde and Dennis Cirkin all set to battle for a spot in the starting line-up.
The high praise and slight disappointment at Taylor’s exit on Wearside can only mean good things for wherever he ends up next.
While it may take a while for him to settle into senior football, bringing him to Hillsborough to learn under Rohl and also be mentored by Johnson feels like a risk worth taking.
He may not be ready to start straight away, but he would surely be a real coup to bring in for some back-up and with the view to bring him into the starting line-up sooner rather than later.