It’s a difficult market’ – Henrik Pedersen on Sheffield Wednesday’s free-agent search
Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen admits the club are scouring the globe for reinforcements — but viable free-agent options are proving extremely limited.
The Owls were already light on numbers before the latest Football League squad lists underlined the scale of the problem. Wednesday have the smallest senior squad in the Championship with just 18 experienced players, and that total has effectively dropped again after Yan Valery’s loan move to Young Boys.
Injuries have further stretched resources. Di’Shon Bernard has suffered a setback in his recovery, while Max Lowe, Sean Fusire and Nathaniel Chalobah are all sidelined for varying periods. Dominic Iorfa is the closest to returning, but with 21 players required for a Championship matchday squad, Wednesday are walking a tightrope.
The EFL has permitted the club to sign one free agent following Valery’s departure, yet Pedersen concedes the market is thin.
“There’s not much out there,” he said. “We are really searching, but it’s really, really difficult. We’re looking in America, in Europe — we’re looking everywhere because there are so few players available.
“We don’t have any concrete name where we’ve said, ‘That’s the one we go for.’”
Wednesday’s situation is complicated further by financial uncertainty. The club remains in administration, with losses currently covered by a preferred bidder led by former Sheffield United adviser James Bord. Any takeover remains subject to approval under the Football League’s owners’ and directors’ test.
Pedersen stressed the need for caution.
“We want to use the money in the best possible way,” he said. “That’s why we’re not just taking the first available player. We will think carefully before spending again, but of course we’re trying to find someone who can strengthen the team.”
Former Olympiacos forward Zain Silcott-Duberry is training with the squad this week, though no decision has been made regarding a deal. There are currently no plans to bring in additional trialists.
Despite their struggles — and relegation looming — Wednesday are keen to protect younger players while maintaining competitiveness. Heading into the upcoming clash with Millwall, Liam Cooper remains the only fresh fitness concern from the side beaten at Swansea last weekend.
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