Sheffield Wednesday player is a ‘luxury we can’t afford’ as summer exit claim made | OneFootball

FLW’s Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has commented on the future of midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah.

With Sheffield Wednesday’s future decided a long time ago, attentions will turn to next season as they aim to make a swift return to the Championship.

The Owls round off their second tier term with the visit of West Brom to Hillsborough, who secured their Championship status with a goalless draw against Ipswich Town last weekend, extending their unbeaten run to 10 games.

It should be a party-like atmosphere in Yorkshire for both sides, with Wednesday supporters encouraged to wear Hawaiian fancy dress and bring inflatables to the clash, while the travelling Albion support will be delighted that there is little on their meeting in the Steel City.

After the encounter, the Owls will focus on their upcoming League One campaign, which can hopefully have optimism attached to it, provided American David Storch completes a takeover of the club.

When all the off-the-pitch issues are settled, Wednesday will be able to attempt to build a squad good enough to compete and be situated towards the top end of the third tier standings.

Therefore, key decisions will have to be made on whether some of the current first-team crop remain with Wednesday in League One, with the club bound to be hopeful that some stay on to bring about an immediate promotion push.

One of those set to be under consideration is midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, with some of the Wednesday faithful keen to keep him on the books after the midfielder started four of the Owls' last five league games since returning from injury.

The former Fulham and West Brom midfielder has had an injury-stricken season in Yorkshire, featuring just 12 times all campaign, but after reappearing in the first-team picture, he could well be a big player to have in League One given his pedigree.

With this in mind, FLW’s Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has commented on whether he would want the Owls to keep hold of Chalobah heading into League One.

Speaking to Football League World, Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna has admitted the Owls should part ways with Nathaniel Chalobah this summer, believing his high wage is something the Yorkshire ‘can’t afford’ in League One, on top of his lingering fitness issues.

Patrick told FLW: “With Nathaniel Chalobah, it is good to finally see him get some minutes for us having played so little this season, but he’s still struggling to play 90 minutes in games.

“Although, in his time on the pitch this season, he has stood out, and he has made a difference in games, but unfortunately, what we are building next season, it’s a luxury we can’t afford.

“I don’t think we could have his wage for a player who you can’t guarantee will be fit for a lot of the campaign, so I think he is a player we will have to let go.

“As for would he want to play for us? He’d probably want to play at a higher level than League One with the talent that he has, but he could struggle to find a club just because of his injury record, so what he would want to do next in his career will be a real choice for him.

“I just wouldn’t think it would be practical for him to play for us next season.

Sheffield Wednesday can’t take the risk with Nathaniel Chalobah

As a former Chelsea prodigy, England international, and player with over 200 Championship appearances, having someone of the ilk of Nathaniel Chalobah in League One would certainly be a big bonus for a potential promotion push.

But with that pedigree, Chalobah is likely to still command a sizeable wage, which is something the Owls may not be able to afford at all as relegation down to the third tier brings further cuts.

Meanwhile, Chalobah’s frustrating injury record is unlikely to disappear with the midfielder in his thirties, so it’s a financial risk Wednesday cannot take on, with vital resources better spent elsewhere on players who are younger, fresher and can stand the test of a relentless third tier campaign.

It’s a great shame that Chalobah’s stint at Wednesday is set to end in such disappointing fashion, with the midfielder still possessing the talent to be such a success at Hillsborough.

But unfortunately, his body has let him down, with Chalobah all but certain to be looking for a new club ahead of the 2026-27 season.