The former Everton youngster signed for Sheffield Wednesday in 2016.
Jordan Thorniley has praised Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay for providing youngsters with opportunities they weren’t getting under Carlos Carvalhal.
Thorniley moved to Hillsborough after his release by Everton in the summer of 2016, and helped the Owls Under-23s to win their development league in his very first season.
Speaking to the BBC on Monday morning, the 21-year-old said it was ‘always the target’ to make his Sheffield Wednesday debut this season.
However, he admitted he did not expect to start three of the Owls’ last four Championship fixtures, following his return from a loan spell at Accrington Stanley.
The Warrington native – who is one of six under-23 team players to be used by Luhukay – said: “I’m not getting ahead of myself, it’s only been three games so I’ve just got to continue to do what I’m doing.
“But it has been good. Like everyone says, it’s been a dream pathway, going from a big club to another big club. It’s been a good opportunity for me. Obviously for Sheff Wednesday to give me the chance last season, to let me play in the under-23s, because I wasn’t playing in the under-23s at Everton. So credit to the club really to let me play.”
Had Carvalhal remained as Sheffield Wednesday manager, it is possible that Thorniley’s chance would never have arrived.
He added: “It’s been difficult for the young lads, sort of the past couple of years, to break through. You were getting sort of there and then you’d not be there. With the new manager [Luhukay] coming in and giving you that chance it’s given everyone like a new belief that if there is an injury there […] he’ll look at the under-23s and think; you’re ready.”
Thorniley has yet to taste defeat and has only conceded one goal while wearing Sheffield Wednesday colours.
The Owls are, however, still seeking their first league win of Luhukay’s reign.
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