“There has been early interest” – Emile Heskey discusses son Jaden’s Manchester City future | OneFootball

Former England striker Emile Heskey has revealed his son Jaden has attracted ‘early interest’ after a loan tenure at Sheffield Wednesday from Manchester City.

After spending 12 years at the youth academy, the 20-year-old started his senior career at Manchester City, making his competitive debut in September last year in a 2-0 away victory over EFL League One side Huddersfield Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

That marked to be the Englishman’s second involvement in the senior squad following his inclusion in City’s United States pre-season tour in 2024. In January, Heskey joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the remainder of the season.

How was Jaden Heskey’s loan stint at Wednesday?

Heskey made his debut for Sheffield Wednesday by coming off the bench against Portsmouth on January 17, followed by receiving his first senior start in their next Championship game against Birmingham City, playing the full 90 minutes.

Since his second game for the Owls, he was able to secure a regular spot in manager Henrik Pedersen‘s starting XI. The midfielder has started 19 out of the 20 league appearances he has made for the club.

While Heskey’s loan stint at the Hillsborough Stadium was considered impressive, Sheffield Wednesday struggled in the recent campaign, ranking last (24th) in the Championship and being relegated to EFL League One for the upcoming season.

Emile Heskey explains what will determine Man City star’s future after ‘important period’ at Wednesday

While speaking at Grosvenor Casinos Sheffield as part of a World Cup Preview night, Emile Heskey claimed that the midfielder’s performances at the Owls “will bring a certain level of new interest” this summer.

“There has been early interest in Jaden, and that has come from his time at Sheffield Wednesday,” Heskey said, as quoted by The Sheffield Star.

“Starting 19 games in the Championship will bring a certain level of new interest. Granted, Sheffield Wednesday struggled but Jaden did okay so it’s been an important period for him.”

The former Liverpool star highlighted the significance of the loan move for the youngster while also addressing whether Pep Guardiola’s departure from the Etihad Stadium after a decade will affect Jaden Heskey’s future.

“Jaden’s future will be determined by what we can do in terms of progressing his first-team football – and I don’t think Pep Guardiola staying or going affects that,” Heskey added.

“Jaden did really well going over to Sheffield Wednesday to learn and understand what it means to wake up every day and feel the importance of winning games.

“Obviously, being in a position where the club was trying to stay in the league was always going to be tough under the circumstances, but it was really important for him to experience those pressures.”

Pedersen has previously stated that Manchester City were closely monitoring their academy star’s progress during his loan tenure at Sheffield Wednesday.

With Enzo Maresca being heavily speculated to be the Catalan coach’s successor at Manchester City, new changes on the pitch in terms of players and tactics are also anticipated, potentially offering Heskey a chance to shine at his boyhood club.

However, considering City’s existing star-studded squad, the English star could have limited opportunities in the first team and fall behind the upcoming head coach’s pecking order, making a potential move away from City a better option for his progress.