13 first-teamers are on course to leave Sheffield Wednesday this summer.
Steve Bruce took a squad of 20 down to Ipswich on Saturday for his first game as Sheffield Wednesday manager.
He later told the BBC that he was forced to leave seven players behind – a tally which, given my calculations, failed to include a trio of long-term injury victims, Gary Hooper, Kieran Lee and Matt Penney, and one other, unidentified, player – before admitting that his options ‘need to be trimmed’.
It is perhaps lucky for him, then, that nine of those are out of contract this summer, while the Owls’ four loanees are due back at their parent clubs.
Interestingly, only one of the aforementioned nonet, Liam Palmer, will be under the age of 30 at the time their deal expires, which should give Bruce a more youthful base to work from.
Senior Wednesday players out of contract this summer:
Goalkeepers – Keiren Westwood; Defenders – Liam Palmer, Michael Hector*, Daniel Pudil, Achraf Lazaar*; Midfielders – Joshua Onomah*, Kieran Lee, David Jones, Almen Abdi, George Boyd, Rolando Aarons*; Forwards – Marco Matias, Gary Hooper
(* = on loan)
And while some of those could yet remain at Sheffield Wednesday – just as some of those under contract could yet depart – Steven Fletcher is the only player over 30 whose deal currently runs beyond the summer.
Senior Wednesday players under contract beyond 1 July:
Goalkeepers – Cameron Dawson, Joe Wildsmith; Defenders – Dominic Iorfa, Ashley Baker, Tom Lees, Jordan Thorniley, Joost van Aken, Morgan Fox, Matt Penney; Midfielders – Sam Hutchinson, Barry Bannan, Joey Pelupessy, Adam Reach; Forwards – Fernando Forestieri, Steven Fletcher, Lucas Joao, Atdhe Nuhiu, Sam Winnall, Jordan Rhodes*
(* = on loan)
That is at least one major cloud lifted – even if Wednesday are to receive a transfer embargo for the second year running – and one which should have a positive impact on the future of the Owls’ finances.
Which out of contract players should Sheffield Wednesday try to keep this summer, and where do they need to strengthen?
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