Sheffield Wednesday’s pursuit of a new striker may have just received a major boost following one manager’s comments over the weekend.
What’s he said?
It is believed that the Owls have a genuine interest in a loan swoop for Crystal Palace frontman Connor Wickham after the Daily Mail first reported the news ten days ago.
The 26-year-old has endured an injury-blighted four years in London but managed to feature as a substitute in their shock draw to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Alan Nixon of The Sun believes Wednesday are some way short of clinching Wickham as they aren’t offering to pay enough of his wages, but given Roy Hodgson’s latest comments, a deal could be struck to benefit all parties.
Speaking to Football London, the veteran Palace boss said:
“When it comes to Connor it is really a question about him. It has been a long time since he has been able to play regularly. He was recovering from a serious injury and then picking up other injuries.
“This season, we have not had that with him. But he has had to accept others are playing in front of him.
“I think for his future, he needs to get a run of games. I might not be able to guarantee him that, but I must emphasise he trains well, he is very professional, and if he stays [at Palace] that is no problem. You can’t have too many front players.
“I have nothing against him staying, but it is a discussion the club will need to have with him about if it is better for him to be the first name on a team sheet somewhere else, which I can’t guarantee him.”
Roy Hodgson following Palace’s 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Potential boost?
Recent events may have worked in favour of Wednesday.
Hodgson bolstered his attacking options with the loan signing of Cenk Tosun last week, which means there are now three options ahead of Wickham in the pecking order, including Jordan Ayew and Christian Benteke.
Who the heck is that?! Can you name all of these obscure Sheffield Wednesday players…
The latter had also been mooted for a departure from Selhurst Park this month with his former club Aston Villa reportedly keen, however, the Midlands outfit opted to sign Mbwana Samatta from Genk instead. Another good sign for the Owls.
Wickham has only been able to play 48 matches in four seasons and is in dire need of regular game time, and his manager clearly isn’t going to stand in his way if there’s a chance he can be first-choice elsewhere.
Garry Monk needs a replacement for the injured Steven Fletcher, and this opportunity may help the two clubs come to some sort of agreement in the near future.
And in other news, Wednesday’s £2m target is far better than their current options of Jordan Rhodes and Sam Winnall…
