The former Sheffield Wednesday loanee is available on a free transfer this summer.
The release of Alex Lopez by Sporting Gijon on Saturday has caused swathes of Sheffield Wednesday supporters to clamour for his return to Hillsborough on Twitter.
Lopez left a lasting impression on the Owls faithful during his season on loan in the Steel City, in which he played 22 times en route to the Championship play-offs.
Typically classy with the ball, the Spanish midfielder was particularly adept at nicking it back, even if it meant sticking in the odd boot – often to the delight of those of a Wednesday persuasion.
It is hard to disagree that he should have been signed there and then, and perhaps even during the following summer’s transfer window, when Celta Vigo also let him go. Instead, the Owls went 18 months carrying an Alex Lopez-shaped hole in their side – one that proved particularly noticeable in Sam Hutchinson’s absence.
However, Joey Pelupessy’s January arrival has gone some way towards patching that up. And although further additions may be required in Lopez’s position this summer – with Jacob Butterfield gone, Sean Clare expected to follow and David Jones and Almen Abdi likely to find themselves surplus to requirements at Hillsborough – would signing the 30-year-old really be the best idea?
Were it not enough that Jos Luhukay has already expressed a need to reduce the average age of his squad ahead of next season, Lopez’s recent injury record alone should be enough to set alarm bells ringing.
The Galician played just 13 times – equating to 544 minutes – for Sporting last season, of which he spent six months sidelined with a back problem. While only once in the last four campaigns has he surpassed the 30-appearance mark – and there is already a superfluous amount of absence-prone 30-somethings at Sheffield Wednesday.
So, while thousands of hearts may beat for his return, Wednesday should perhaps trust their head on this one.
Should Sheffield Wednesday bring back Lopez?
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