Djourou was poised to become a Sheffield Wednesday player.
Johan Djourou seemed all set to sign for Sheffield Wednesday in August, but within 24 hours the deal collapsed.
Days later, the Switzerland international headed east, signing for Turkish Super Lig side Antalyaspor instead, as Wednesday scoured Europe for the centre-half that had eluded them throughout the previous 12 months. But who will be regretting it the most?
Things have not gone great for Wednesday so far. Last season’s fourth-placed team sit 11th in the Championship, albeit five spots higher than they were before recent back-to-back victories.
The Owls have been uncharacteristically poor at the back, keeping only two clean sheets from a possible 16. There are however, mitigating circumstances. They have fielded their regular centre-half partnership – comprising Tom Lees and Glenn Loovens – on five occasions, with Loovens failing to see half-time in two of those.
In the meantime, their left-back Daniel Pudil filled in on an auxiliary basis, while their late August recruit Joost van Aken has flattered to deceive. Surely though, Van Aken will begin to warrant his £4 million price tag, as he gets to grips with a notoriously punishing – and to him, completely alien – division.
With a player of Djourou’s calibre on board since August – his CV boasts spells at Arsenal and Hamburg, along with 65 international caps – things may have at least been a bit more settled initially.
But things have not been entirely plain sailing for the 30-year-old in Turkey. Currently sidelined with a thigh injury, he has won only one of his six league games for Antalyaspor – whose other two victories have arrived since his absence – and kept a single clean sheet.
Had they not won those, then Turkey’s fifth-best team last season – who are captained, no less, by Samuel Eto’o – would be bottom of the table, rather than two spots above the relegation places.
Although, in all likelihood, Djourou’s pay packet should leave him fairly content regardless.
Who regrets it the most? On this occasion, it’s probably neither.
Did Wednesday dodge a bullet with Djourou?
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