Should Sheffield Wednesday sign Jacob Butterfield? 83% say no

Follow us on Google Discover

Sheffield Wednesday’s Jacob Butterfield has failed to impress at Hillsborough.

Following an online poll via Twitter, 83 per cent of Sheffield Wednesday fans participating have voted against the signing of Derby County midfielder Jacob Butterfield on a permanent deal.

The former Huddersfield Town man moved to the Owls on loan last summer in a deal which saw forward Sam Winnall head in the opposite direction.

Former boss Carlos Carvalhal was seemingly a fan of the midfielder, and his ability to retain possession in the middle of the park arguably prompted the Portuguese manager to bring him in.

But unfortunately for Butterfield, he has found opportunities limited at the Yorkshire club and, when finally getting some minutes, he has looked a shadow of his former self.

During spells at Barnsley and Huddersfield, the 27-year-old displayed an ability to control the game and he even chipped in with some important goals and assists, leading to many citing him as one of the Championship’s top players.

Over the past two years, however, his performance levels have declined and, either due to a lack of confidence or speed of thought, frustrations grow over his lack of creativity or willingness to play forward passes.

Butterfield has made just 11 Championship starts for Wednesday this term, averaging more unsuccessful touches (0.7) and dispossessed (0.8) than key passes (0.7) per league fixture.

As a result, when posed the question on Twitter, 83 per cent of more than 300 participants have voted against bringing the midfielder in on a permanent deal this summer.

Should the Owls opt against signing him, it leaves both Derby and Butterfield in an intriguing position considering the player’s current deal at Pride Park expires in the summer of 2019.

With just one year left on his deal and evidently not in Gary Rowett’s plans, the Rams will probably look to sell him this summer but with little chance of recouping anywhere near their original £4.5 million investment.