“Be careful” - Pundit issues Sheffield Wednesday takeover warning amid Dejphon Chansiri exit talk | OneFootball

Former Owls midfielder Carlton Palmer has spoken exclusively to Football League World on a rumoured takeover by Genevra Associates

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has issued a stark warning to supporters about Genevra Associates' rumoured takeover bid, urging fans to exercise caution in their desire for ownership change at the South Yorkshire club.

Palmer, who made over 200 appearances for the Owls during their Premier League era, has spoken exclusively to Football League World about Talal Al Hammad's reported interest in purchasing the club, expressing serious doubts about the prospective buyer's credentials.

Carlton Palmer speaks out on takeover talk

"Talal Al Hammad is reportedly targeting a return to football ownership, looking at Sheffield Wednesday," Palmer states.

"Listen, I'm not sure about this one. I'm really not sure he'd have the money to do it, I'm not sure he'd pass the fit and means test that would be needed for him to take over at Sheffield Wednesday."

The former England international's concerns stem particularly from Al Hammad's previous venture in English football.

He said: “I know it was a disastrous tenure at the previous club he owned - it was a disastrous tenure at Wigan. It's one where the supporters have to be careful what they wish for.

"I'm not always on Mr Chansiri's side because of the way that he is - if he had just come out and was open and honest with the supporters without being confrontational. He has put a lot of money into the football club - he has done a lot of good things at Sheffield Wednesday. But he's confrontational with the football club: I mean in the fan's forum he's done the other week, he's completely turned the supporters against him."

However, his assessment of the potential ownership change leaves little room for interpretation: "I'm telling you now - I believe Talal Al Hammad is three divisions down on Dejphon Chansiri."

Palmer went on to contextualise the current season's challenges, pointing to Chansiri's track record of financial backing. "Chansiri has backed his managers in the past by giving them money, it's just the way he goes about things. Like this season, when you stay up like they stayed up last season and then go on to challenge - I said if they go on and finish halfway up the table then they've done well."

The former midfielder believes many of the current issues stem from poor communication rather than lack of investment. "To go and challenge and get promotion, you've got to spend an awful lot of money. There's nothing wrong with saying that we haven't got the money, we're going to consolidate this season, and we'll look to kick on next season. There's nothing wrong with that, but then the manager comes out and says 'I haven't had a conversation with Mr. Chansiri' and it becomes an argument in the press - he then ends up backing Danny Rohl by bringing in a couple of players - it could have all been avoided."

While acknowledging the widespread desire for change among the Wednesday support base, Palmer's final message is unequivocal: "I think one thing's for sure - I know that the general consensus is that they'd rather Chansiri move on, but let me tell you now - Talal Al Hammad is not the answer for Sheffield Wednesday."

Talal Al Hammad is the wrong man, at the wrong time

The former Wednesday man's intervention comes at a crucial time for the club. While Chansiri's relationship with supporters appears increasingly strained, Palmer's clear-eyed assessment of Al Hammad's credentials suggests the current situation, however imperfect, might be preferable to the alternative.

For a club that has already experienced the depths of League One in recent seasons, Palmer's warning about jumping from the frying pan into the fire could prove prescient.

His words carry particular weight given the delicate position the Owls find themselves in, having only scraped Championship survival last season.

The gulf between an owner who has demonstrated a willingness to invest, albeit while maintaining a difficult relationship with supporters, and one whose previous tenure ended in financial catastrophe could hardly be starker.

Palmer's perspective, shaped by both his deep connection to Sheffield Wednesday and his understanding of football ownership dynamics, offers a valuable reality check at a time when emotions are running high.

While the current regime at Hillsborough may be far from perfect, his assessment suggests that any move to welcome Al Hammad to S6 could represent a gamble the club can ill afford to take.