Sheffield Wednesday have another name on their January wishlist.
Sheffield Wednesday have so far been linked with a handful of names going into this month’s transfer window, including goalkeeper James Beadle and striker Scott Hogan.
And now, Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has been linked with a January move to Hillsborough.
The 28-year-old is currently on loan at Standard Liege but after just 10 appearances in the Jupiler Pro League in the first half of this season, there’s suggestions that he could return to England for the second half of the campaign.
Danny Rohl‘s Wednesday, as well as Blackburn Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, and Preston North End are all keen on the Englishman.
Andrew Reynolds tells Sheffield Wednesday what to expect from industrious Isaac Hayden
Speaking to Sheffield Wednesday News, journalist Andrew Reynolds – who writes for Geordie Boot Boys – gave a number of insights into Hayden and what he might be able to offer the Owls in the second half of this season.
Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce was a huge admirer of Hayden’s when at Newcastle, and he thought Hayden’s best position was at centre-back.
But Reynolds says Hayden is best deployed as a holding midfielder, saying:
“His best position for Newcastle was always as a more defensive minded midfielder. It’s something that he excelled at under Rafa Benitez in the two seasons he had back in the Premier League. He was brilliant at making tackles and winning the ball back in midfield, the kind of player you need in the Championship, whereas at centre-back he looks a little more exposed.”
Hayden spent last season on loan at Norwich City but managed just 14 Championship appearances owing to injury.
“I wouldn’t say that his injury record at Newcastle was particularly poor, especially at the beginning of his time here,” Reynolds said, when asked if Hayden is somewhat ‘injury-prone’. “I remember him being regularly available for the team in the first few seasons. Things have obviously taken a turn in recent years after requiring knee surgery in the latter half of the 2021/22 season, but historically he was never really injury prone.”
Wednesday already have someone on loan from Newcastle United; Jeff Hendrick.
Hendrick though has barely featured for Sheffield Wednesday under Rohl, owing both to injury and poor form, and after John Buckley returned to Blackburn Rovers, it seems like Hendrick could be another who potentially returns to his parent club this month.
Reynolds said when comparing Hayden to Hendrick:
“At his best Hayden in a Newcastle shirt was light-years ahead of Hendrick. There were times where we were depending on Hayden to get us through some tough games, his grit and determination were key in the defensive shape that we played under Bruce and Benitez and he always had a lot to do on the pitch. Hendrick for the most part was nowhere near as good technically and didn’t have the same desire as Hayden.”
Lastly, Reynolds summed up Hayden and his key attribute:
“One thing you’ll be guaranteed to get with Hayden is a brilliant character. When he first signed for Newcastle from Arsenal, he was very homesick, but he never made a single complaint and was putting in solid performances week in week out which earned him the respect of the fans. As a move away never materialised, he then signed a new long-term deal with the club and became a key figure in the dressing room.”
Hayden could be a key addition for Danny Rohl this month
Hayden then certainly seems like an upgrade on Hendrick who has been an underwhelming signing for Sheffield Wednesday.
And going off Reynolds’ comments that Hayden, during his prime years at Newcastle, was comfortable Premier League player, it seems like he’d be a shrewd addition for the Owls.
And best deployed as a defensive midfielder, Hayden would add some much-needed cover for key man Will Vaulks who appears to be the only player capable of putting in tackles in front of the defence.
Hendrick could play a key role here; not only could he potentially play a role in enticing Hayden to Wednesday, telling him how good life might be for him under Rohl, but if Newcastle recall him or Wednesday terminate his loan, it would open up a loan slot in the side.
Lastly, as the ‘brilliant character’ as Reynolds describes him, Hayden could be a welcome addition in a Wednesday side looking to rejuvenate themselves with some younger players in the coming months, and given their league position, characters like Hayden are always necessary.
If Wednesday can get a deal over the line for Hayden then it would be a very strong start to their January transfer window.