Sheffield Wednesday casting eyes over Stoke City player ahead of Potters exit | OneFootball

Young Stoke City goalkeeper Michael Zeitzen, formerly of Arsenal, has been handed a trial by Sheffield Wednesday.

As they prepare for the summer and their summer transfer window plans, Sheffield Wednesday are casting an eye over former Arsenal goalkeeper Michael Zeitzen this week.

The 18-year-old shot stopper came through the academy at the Gunners before moving to Stoke City, where he remains a player, but does seemingly look set to be released at the end of this season.

As he plans his future, Stoke’s Championship rivals Wednesday have brought him in on a trial and he featured for the Owls’ under-21's side, under the management of Andy Holdsworth, against Ipswich Town on Monday.

Ipswich ran out 3-1 winners in that clash to leave Wednesday sitting fourth in the Professional Development League North table, with Zeitzen seeking to earn himself a contract in South Yorkshire.

Wednesday’s future has a fair bit of uncertainty surrounding it with the controversial ownership of Dejphon Chansiri casting something of a cloud over Hillsborough as we head into the summer.

Sheffield Wednesday’s goalkeeper situation amid Michael Zeitzen trial

Last summer, Wednesday let goalkeeper Cameron Dawson go to their South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United, who were relegated to League One, and brought in two first-team stoppersto replenish the squad.

Ben Hamer arrived on a free transfer from Watford before James Beadle re-joined on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion a few days later as they seemed well organised and prepared for what they wanted in net this season.

Beadle, an England under-21 international who has also been on loan at Crewe Alexandra and Oxford United before initially joining Wednesday on loan in January 2024, remains a highly-rated goalkeeper.

However, sub-standard performances and growing pressure from supporters saw him dropped by Rohl after their 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United in the Steel City Derby before the March international break.

He has been on the bench in their subsequent seven matches with Northern Ireland international Pierce Charles, the younger brother of Shea, who is on loan from Southampton at Hillsborough, starting instead.

It appears as though Charles, 19, formerly of Manchester City’s academy setup like his brother, is set to be the long-term first-choice, so long as they can keep him at the club moving forward.

Danny Rohl’s future at Hillsborough and how it may impact Sheffield Wednesday transfer plans

Danny Rohl took charge of Wednesday a few months into last season after a disastrous start following their promotion to the second-tier via the play-offs in the 2022/23 campaign, which saw Xisco Munoz sacked.

Surviving relegation last year and guiding Wednesday into the middle of the Championship pack in 2024-25, 35-year-old Rohl has been tipped up as one of the most exciting coaches in European football with strong links to Southampton, who are coming down to the Championship following their dismal Premier League season.

With Rohl’s future uncertain as they head into the summer, it will perhaps bring Owls’ fans some solace to know they are looking ahead and planning with the trial given to Zeitzen.

Players and staff were paid late for March and the ownership of Chansiri is one that is heavily criticised by neutrals and supporters but the fact they are in a stable enough position to present a trial to a player not officially released by their current club would suggest something positive.