Abdi was one of several notable Sheffield Wednesday recruits.
Carlos Carvalhal admitted during Thursday’s press conference that he expected better of Sheffield Wednesday’s summer recruits.
The Owls spent in excess of £10 million during the previous transfer window, with Adam Reach, Steven Fletcher and Almen Abdi the most notable arrivals.
However, Carvalhal’s side, which reached the Championship play-off final last season, have found life tougher this time around and currently sit ninth in the standings.
Wednesday ended a run of two straight defeats by drawing at Fulham on Saturday, a game which saw the Owls revert to last year’s eleven – bar Reach – and produce what the Portuguese believes was their best performance of the campaign to date.
Asked if his summer recruits have had the desired impact, Carvalhal replied: “I don’t want to criticise but I expect a little more I must tell you. Probably the players expect a little more also.
“We are giving time to them. We know the value of the players. I am not disappointed with anybody. I still believe we have very good players and they can improve the team.
“Some of them it is more easy, some of them it’s more difficult, some of them have problems during the run, like Fletcher.
“But we are in the first part of the season, it’s a long season, and I think that with more chances with a team in better position I think also the players that we bring they will do better and better in the future. That is my expectation.”
Wednesday are said to have paid Watford £4 million for Abdi, however, the Swiss midfielder’s last start came over a month ago, while he was left out entirely against Fulham – and not for the first time.
The Daily Star reported earlier this week that the Owls could look cut their losses in January, although, when questioned, Carvalhal insisted this would not be the case.
“No, we never consider this,” he said. “We never talk about that. He is a player that we believe in.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
