Wednesday narrowly avoided relegation last season following a remarkable turnaround under Danny Rohl, and there is plenty of hope that they can climb the table in the year ahead.
Rohl signed a new long-term contract at Hillsborough in May, and the positivity around the club increased after a busy summer transfer window that saw the arrival of 11 new signings.
While the Owls’ transfer business looked strong initially, their mixed start to the season has highlighted some areas of weakness in the squad, and speaking last month, Rohl refused to rule out the possibility of entering the free agent market.
“We look in this market, but for example you look at some players that could maybe be interesting and helpful for one season, but the demanding from the agents or the players is we don’t do short term, it must be long term. Then you sign a player now for the long term project where you think it makes sense to invest, if you say no because a player wants the long-term and security a little bit, then you don’t come to an agreement,” Rohl told The Star.
With the busy winter period approaching, Rohl may decide to bolster his squad, and we looked at three free agents that he should consider signing.
Paul Dummett
Defensor Paul Dummett has played his whole career at Newcastle United, with the exception of loan stints at Gateshead and St Mirren. However, he was released this summer at the end of his contract.
After making his Magpies debut in January 2013, Dummett went on to score four goals in 213 games with the team. However, after Eddie Howe joined in November 2021, Dummett’s playing time decreased, and he scarcely played in his last few years at St James’ Park.
Although Sheffield United was rumored to be interested in the 32-year-old this summer, a move to Bramall Lane never happened. In the January transfer window, the player was linked to both Leeds United and Ipswich Town.
Wednesday do have a number of centre-backs on their books, including the likes of Dominic Iorfa, Di’Shon Bernard, Michael Ihiekwe and Akin Famewo, but the injuries they have suffered in the early weeks of the season have shown how quickly options can become depleted.
Dummett could be the perfect signing to add more depth at the heart of defence, while he can also play at left-back, which may be useful given Max Lowe’s poor injury record in recent years.
Given that Dummett has made just 12 senior appearances over the last three seasons, he may need time to get up to full match sharpness, but he performed well whenever called upon for Newcastle last term, and the fact that Championship promotion contenders such as Leeds, Ipswich and Sheffield United have been linked with him during the past year is a big endorsement of his quality.
Matty James
After three years at Ashton Gate, midfielder Matty James was unexpectedly released by Bristol City this summer, after captaining the team the previous season and scoring three goals in 43 games.
After Ben Sheaf’s injury last month, James’ previous team, Coventry City, were said to be mulling a move for him. However, he was not given a contract offer at the CBS Arena, therefore he is still a free agent.
Shea Charles, a transfer from Southampton, has helped Wednesday with its central midfield issues this season. However, with Nathaniel Chalobah out for the time being, injuries may limit Rohl’s choices during the busy winter months.
Some may assume that James’ best days are behind him at the age of 33, but he was one of the Robins’ most consistent performers last season, and he would add important Championship experience and leadership qualities to the Owls squad if he did make the move to Hillsborough.
Emiliano Marcondes
Attacking midfielder Emiliano Marcondes is currently a free agent after being released by Bournemouth this summer following a disappointing three-year spell at the Vitality Stadium.
Marcondes first made his name in English football at Brentford, where he scored seven goals and provided 13 assists in 97 games, and he was part of the squad that won promotion to the Premier League in 2021.
The 29-year-old then made the move to Bournemouth, and he earned his second career promotion to the top flight in his first season at the club, but after his minutes became restricted, he spent time out on loan with Nordsjaelland and Hibernian prior to his departure in June.
Wednesday may need to move quickly if they are to acquire Marcondes, as the midfielder was linked to Norwich City this summer. The Canaries head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, who worked with the player at Nordsjaelland, recently hinted that he could attempt to bring him to Carrow Road.
The Owls have struggled to score goals at times this season, but Marcondes might offer Rohl’s team a another attacking dimension. Additionally, his creativity in the midfield would relieve some of the strain on Josh Windass and Barry Bannan.
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