The Owls’ right-back has endured a difficult start to the campaign, while De Laet could be on his way out of Leicester City.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Almen Abdi looks dejected after missing an opportunity to score
Despite making a promising start to the new Championship season, a couple of negative results have left Sheffield Wednesday fans scratching their heads at their side’s plight.
Are they, as head coach Carlos Carvalhal suggests, still seeking ‘the right balance’? Has the Fernando Forestieri situation left them rattled? Or are further additions still required?
Saturday’s defeat to Leeds United raised all three of those questions, of which the latter is arguably the most worrying. After all, Wednesday have already added seven new faces this summer (or rather: five new ones and two old), with another couple – a new winger and left-back – needed according to Carvalhal pre-Leeds.
Wednesday failed in a bid for Aston Villa left-back Joe Bennett (left) earlier this month
However, the Owls’ recent defensive showings – five goals conceded in two games – may have also uncovered the need for a new right-back.
Jack Hunt, who established himself as first choice after arriving from Crystal Palace a year ago, initially on loan, had a night to forget at Burton on Tuesday, before being hooked by Carvalhal with the Owls a goal down to their Yorkshire rivals four days later.
Hunt’s replacement, Will Buckley – understandably – performed awkwardly in his absence.
The Owls’ Liam Palmer in action against Cambridge United
Though Carvalhal often turned to Liam Palmer over Hunt last term, particularly in tougher games away from home, the former is yet to start a league game this season and was overlooked in favour of Buckley against Leeds.
With only nine days left of the summer transfer window, and no chance of any new additions between September and January, Carvalhal must decide quickly if he is to stick with Hunt and Palmer – Marnick Vermijl, too – or look for alternatives.
If he does decide to twist there is one option which arguably stands above the rest: That of Leicester City’s Ritchie De Laet.
Leicester City’s Ritchie De Laet in action with Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane
The Belgian is currently out of favour at the King Power Stadium, despite a remarkable campaign in which he was promoted from the Championship – a criteria often favoured by Carvalhal when seeking new additions – and collected a Premier League winners’ medal, with Middlesbrough and the Foxes respectively.
Wednesday’s Championship rivals Aston Villa are already said to be keen on De Laet, but with alternatives reportedly being sought by the Villans (Telegraph) the Owls may be in with a shout.
In an ideal world Carvalhal would have two players to choose from in every outfield position – though with chairman Dejphon Chansiri seemingly intent on promotion this season, more players could arrive whether others leave or not.
Chansiri, based on previous form, will do whatever is necessary.
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